Chancellor pledges support for new memorial to UK police

The Chancellor announced this funding boost for the Police Arboretum Memorial Trust at a reception in No. 11 Downing Street. Speaking at the event the Chancellor said: “The Police across the UK make huge sacrifices to protect us and some, tragically, pay the ultimate price. We must honour them, and this national arboretum Memorial is a powerful idea. With today’s announcement we are using money raised from fines on those who have demonstrated the very worst of values in our financial services to support tributes to those who have demonstrated the very best value in our society.” 

Since 1749 and the creation of the Bow Street Runners as the world’s first recognised Police service, over 4,000 men and women have given their lives to serve and protect communities in the United Kingdom. Losses in British Colonial and other UK administered forces overseas number as many as a further 1,000. 

Rob Wilson MP, Minister for Civil Society, has been a prominent supporter of the memorial.  He said: “This new memorial will help foster in the fabric of our national life an understanding of the importance of Policing.  We must honour the men and women who protect our communities just as we do those who lay down their lives in military service.” 

Sara Thornton, Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police and Chair-designate of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, is also a Trustee of the Police Arboretum Memorial Trust. 

In thanking the Chancellor, she said: “This will be a memorial for the modern age.  We will have a dramatic online and digital presence, with archive and educational materials to bring the story of UK Policing to life.” 

Sir Hugh Orde, outgoing President of the Association of Chief Police Officers and Chairman of the Trust, said: “We are indebted to the Chancellor for this generous donation. We aim to raise £5m to build and maintain this proper and fitting memorial to our fallen colleagues. This is particularly timely as police officers go about their duties protecting the public in challenging times.”.