Police in the county are today monitoring a legal bid launched by officers from another force who claim their radios are making them sick.

SUFFOLK: Police in the county are today monitoring a legal bid launched by officers from another force who claim their radios are making them sick.

There have long been fears that the TETRA Airwave radio system, operated across the UK, has health implications for those who are frequently exposed to the technology.

It was introduced with the intention of eliminating areas of poor coverage. However, concerns were expressed that it could harm officers and that the transmissions from its masts could have wider implications for the general public.

Now Suffolk Police Federation has said it is keeping an eye on what happens to legal action filed by officers from Lancashire police force.

Matt Gould, chairman of the Suffolk federation said: “We are watching Lancashire's progress with interest. When the radios were introduced we heard all kinds of horror stories because they broadcast on a waveband which raised the concerns of some scientists.

“We are engaging with the Home Office and King's College in London in terms of Airwave health monitoring.

“We have had officers go down to London and be tested to see whether there are any adverse factors. There is now full screening that's being done.”

Norfolk Police Federation has also said it is keeping up with the progress of the legal battle being waged by officers in Lancashire.

David Benfield, general secretary of the Norfolk Police Federation, said: “There have been various suggestions made by officers about the impact this has had on their health.”

A spokesman from Suffolk Constabulary said: “Suffolk Constabulary has received no reports of officers or staff experiencing ill health following the use of our airwave system.

“The Airwave system is a vital tool for policing and is an extremely effective radio communication system.

“We await the outcome of Lancashire Constabulary's law suit with interest, and are actively cooperating in the National Airwave Health Monitoring Programme.”