Remember our fallen police heroes: How you can help fund new £4m memorial
THE campaign for a national police memorial was launched yesterday, with former Met chief Lord Stevens declaring: “We must never forget those officers and staff killed on duty.”
Sir Hugh Orde and Lord Stevens holding a model of the new UK police memorial
Lord Stevens urged Police Federation members to dig deep for the tribute, to be housed in the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
The memorial, which is set to be completed in 2019, will bear the names of more than 1,400 officers and staff who died carrying out their duties.
While £2.5million has been raised, a total of £4million is needed for the project which is supported by the Daily Express and the Sunday Express.
Speaking at the annual conference, Lord Stevens, a former Metropolitan Police commissioner, said: “I want to appeal to the Federations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – you who look after our frontline officers – help us finish the job.
“We must never forget all those officers and staff killed on duty or who have died in service.
“When a member of our policing family is taken from us, we come together in a sign of unity and support.
"I am proud to be part of that policing family. A family that looks out for each other at times of need.”
Model of the national police memorial to be erected at the National Memorial Arboretum
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The Duke of Cambridge has also lent his support, saying it was “high time” a focal point for remembrance existed for fallen officers.
These include WPC Yvonne Fletcher and Constable Stephen Carroll.
A total of £4million is needed for the project
WPC Fletcher, 25, died in a hail of bullets as she policed a demonstration outside the Libyan Embassy in London on April 17, 1984.
Constable Carroll, 48, was shot dead by Republican dissidents after being lured out to a call-out in Craigavon, Northern Ireland, on the night of March 9, 2009.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “Every day, our police officers and staff go out to work not knowing what they might face, but do so with the utmost professionalism and bravery.
The memorial is set to be completed in 2019
“We all owe them a huge debt of gratitude.”
Sir Hugh Orde, chairman of the UK Police Memorial Trust, said the death of PC Keith Palmer in the Westminster terror attack in March “has put greater emphasis on the need to create a place where the nation can honour and commemorate our police service and where family, friends and colleagues of those killed can carry out personal acts of remembrance”.
Further information about the memorial, including how to make a donation or take part in fundraising activity can be found at the UK Police Memorial website: ukpolicememorial.org.