The Dutch state is losing €1.5 million a week after police stopped issuing fines for speeding and minor offences as part of a campaign to force a better pension deal.

The four police unions began the action eight weeks ago after they were unable to agree a new early pension regulation, which would allow officers with physically demanding duties to retire three years earlier.

A tax break for employers allowing them to bring forward the pension date with no financial consequences is due to expire in 2025 and no alternative system has been put in place to cover it.

“Every week an average of 5,000 to 10,000 fines are issued from radar checks on roads and motorways,” Nine Kooiman of the Nederlandse Politiebond told the Telegraaf.

“The same applies to fines in the street. We suspect that since the campaign began two months ago the treasury has missed out on between €8 million and €24 million.

“What I don’t understand is that the cabinet is knowingly and willingly choosing not to fill the coffers when a good early pension ruling for police personnel would fix the problem.”