FFS the allowances highlighted by the Mail were introduced by the GOVERNMENT following their so called independent report into police reform pay and conditions by Tom Winsor. Winsor recommended changes to allowances when working away from home so don't blame the police for being paid what he recommended.
As another poster has already said the police (along with countless other workers I might add) have been subject to a pay freeze and pension increases so every pound earnt in o/t or allowance during the olympics will only go to make up for something we have already lost. If you really want to kick the police then don't forget that every PC left working in their own areas during the summer will also probably be expected to work a lot of extra o/t in order to make up for the constables being sent to London...or do you think we should work their duties for free?
As for barracking the home secretary has anyone heard how the house of commons normally acts during PMQ's particularly when whips try to drum up support to drown out the opposition. A few hundred disgruntled bobbies at the fed conference were just making their feelings known in a similar way.