Families of fallen police officers given brass leaf tribute

Bryn Hughes is campaigning for all emergency workers following the murder of his daughter Nicola

The families of officers killed in the line of duty have received a brass leaf in recognition of their sacrifice.

The loved ones were the first to receive the tribute, which was carved from the UK Police Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Among those honoured were Greater Manchester Police officers Nicola Hughes 23, and Fiona Bone, 32, who were killed in an ambush in September 2012.

PC Hughes' father is campaigning for a police medal to be given to families.

Bryn Hughes launched his medals for heroes campaign last year, calling for a medal to be given posthumously to relatives of emergency services workers who died on duty.

Speaking at the brass leaf ceremony at the House of Commons, he told BBC Breakfast "It's not worth thinking about what they went through that day.

"You could torture yourself.

"But it was an ordinary day, answering a 999 call which they probably answered two or three dozen a day and then to be met with what they were met with."

Mr Hughes previously said that a medal "could be worn with pride", adding: "It doesn't change anything, it doesn't bring people back, but what it does say to the family is there is some recognition for the loss you've suffered."

PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes were murdered while on duty in 2012

PC Bone's father, Paul Bone, who also received a brass leaf at the ceremony, said: "You don't actually get anything tangible from the state, something you can pin on your chest.

"So it would be nice for the state to recognise the loss of the police services."

The brass leaf tributes were given to the families of fallen police officers

Heather Allbrook, whose sister Yvonne Fletcher was killed outside the Libyan Embassy in April 1984, said the time was right for the government to acknowledge those who lost their lives

"Other services like the military have a medal so I think it's important for the police who have fallen to have a medal because they have also served their communities," she said.

"I don't think they should be left out."

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman said in October the government hoped to "announce something very soon" and there was "wide support" for the medal campaign.

Chris Philp, crime and policing minister, who attended the brass leaf ceremony, said he supported Mr Hughes' campaign, adding: "I'm very confident we will have something to say in the near future about it."

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