Spanish patrol officers issue fewer fines

Spanish highway patrol officers who are issuing fewer speeding fines to protest a pay cut have been asked by their boss to "please, enforce the law".

Interior Minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba says the number of fines is down since Civil Guard traffic officers had their wages cut by 5 per cent as part of austerity measures imposed in May. Official Civil Guard figures released last month show fines fell in June by one-half compared to June 2009. "I hereby ask formally that they please enforce the law, as they always have and have done very well," Mr Pérez Rubalcaba said.