SENIOR officers at Police Scotland are being asked to reject overtime and stick to “core duty hours” as frustrations over their long-running pay and staffing dispute escalates.

The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS) says its ranks have seen “unprecedented reductions” in recent years, putting “unsustainable demands on those who remain.”

Writing to Chief Constable Jo Farrell, ASPS general secretary Stewart Carle said the effective overtime ban had “become necessary to safeguard the health and resilience of our members.”

The call comes as police officers continue to reject the SNP Scottish government’s 4.75 per cent pay offer, dropping their own claim from 5.7 to 5.5 per cent in a bid to reach a compromise.

Mr Carle added: “The challenges and frustrations of our members are escalating, and we are seeing the toll this prolonged situation is taking on the mental and physical wellbeing of our members, with sickness absences now arising.

“We trust that the official side will recognise the gravity and unprecedented nature of our concerns.”

A Scottish government spokesperson described the 4.75 per cent pay offer as “very fair,” adding: “This is the maximum affordable offer.”