Theresa May to give speech at Police Federation conference in Bournemouth

Theresa May will address hundreds of police personnel today in the latest chapter of her stormy relationship with the organisation that represents rank-and file officers.

The Home Secretary will deliver a speech as the Police Federation of England and Wales opens its annual conference in Bournemouth.

In past years the event has been the scene of a number of fiery confrontations.

Mrs May was heckled and booed in 2012 after telling officers they should stop pretending police were being picked on.

Then in 2014 she shocked those gathered by laying down the law to the Federation and hitting them with a raft of surprise reforms.

The Home Secretary launched another broadside last year, accusing the organisation of "crying wolf" and "scaremongering" over the impact of austerity.

Over the weekend the association, which represents 122,000 constables, sergeants and inspectors, claimed that a national shortage of armed police is leaving Britain vulnerable to terror attacks.

Earlier this year the Government announced an additional £143 million will be provided to boost the armed policing capability in the wake of the Paris attacks.

Forces are training around 1,500 extra personnel as part of counter-terrorism efforts, with hundreds ready to be deployed to cities outside London around the clock.