POLICE officers in Wales must be given a pay rise, a Gwent AM has said.

Islwyn's Rhianon Passmore was speaking in the Senedd earlier today, Tuesday, after it was announced last month police in England and Wales would be given a one per cent pay rise and a one per cent bonus.

This is below inflation, which is 2.6 per cent.

Addressing first minister Carwyn Jones, the Labour AM said she was concerned this would result in problems with recruiting new police.

"Officers have been taking home about 15 per cent less than they were seven years ago," she said.

"The (Police Federation of England and Wales) has asked for a mere 2.8 per cent increase to basic pay.

"Would the first minister call on the Tory UK Government and their supporters in this very chamber to pay police officers a decent salary so as to ensure new recruits are not turned off serving their communities as police officers?"

Mr Jones laid the blame for the problem at the feet of the UK Government's austerity programme, saying: "It shows, when it comes to policing, the Tories will sell our police officers short."