HRH The Prince of Wales at unveiling of police memorial

16 September 2021

HRH The Prince of Wales attended the unveiling of a memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA), dedicated to police officers who have lost their lives on duty.

The UK Police Memorial at the NMA in Alrewas, Staffordshire is a magnificent 12-metre sculpture that will provide a place for loved ones, friends, colleagues and members of the public to go to remember fallen officers.

Addressing an audience of 400, as well as those who were watching live from home, Prince Charles said: “I pray this memorial will provide a place to pay tribute and provide reassurance that those who have given their lives will leave a lasting legacy and will never be forgotten.”
He expressed his “profound gratitude” to “those who have laid down their lives” to protect the public and paid tribute to “those who continue to serve” today.

West Midlands Police Federation was represented at the service by secretary Steve Grange, who is retiring after 30 years with the Force.

The £4.5 million memorial, which follows seven years of fund-raising and took 12 months to build, was designed by Walter Jack Studio.

The sculpture is designed to look like a slightly ajar door said to signify officers going into the unknown during their line of work on a daily basis.

Sir Hugh Orde, chair of The Police Arboretum Memorial Trust, explained that it is decorated with cut-out leaves, which represent the lives of the heroic officers lost.