MEMBERS of North Yorkshire Police Federation have paid their respects at National Police Memorial Day to the thousands of police officers who have been killed on duty.

Federation Chairman Rob Bowles attended the service last weekend at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, along with the families of seven fallen officers

Rob said that an annual National Police Memorial Day ceremony was invaluable.

He said: "I’ve accompanied the families of fallen officers from North Yorkshire who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.

"I think it’s invaluable to have this every year. It just ensures that people who have made the ultimate sacrifice are at the forefront in peoples’ minds and that we always remember them. It’s also a really fitting tribute to the families and an opportunity for them to get together and remember their lost family members."

The ceremony was led by Reverend Canon David Wilbraham, National Police Chaplain, and was described by Home Secretary Sajid Javid as “an important and poignant reminder of the courage shown by the police each and every day”.

Candles from each of the four nations of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, were lit by loved ones to remind us of the undying flame of devotion and commitment, exemplified by those whom we remembered today.

Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland George Hamilton said: “The National Police Memorial Day is a fitting tribute to police officers everywhere who have died in the course of their duties to protect the public.

“It is important and indeed only right that we take time to pause to remember our colleagues and friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives on duty protecting their communities. It is a privilege for the Police Service of Northern Ireland to have been able to welcome so many visitors to Belfast for this year's National Police Memorial Day."

Mark Lindsay, Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, also read the names of the officers who have died in the last year, including Constable Steven Richard Jenkins of Gwent Police, Constable John Alcock of Grampian Police, Constable James Dixon of Thames Valley Police and Constable David Fields of South Yorkshire Police.

Representing Northern Ireland were Joseph Ferguson and Susan Ferguson O’Neill, brother and sister of Constable Michael John Ferguson, RUC, who was murdered by the IRA aged 21 in 1993.

Representing Wales were Jayne Griffiths, wife of Constable Terence John Davies, Gwent Police, who died aged 34, cycling home after a tour of duty when he was hit by a stolen car which failed to stop.

Representing Scotland were Callum Alcock, son of Police Constable John Alcock, Grampian Police, who died aged 54, after having been in a coma for 14 years following a road traffic collision en route to Royal Protection duties at Balmoral.

Representing England were Samantha Dixon and Parker Cameron James Dixon, wife and son of PC James Dixon, Thames Valley Police, who was killed aged 39, when the police motorcycle he was riding was involved in a road traffic collision.