Thousands gather for police memorial in Glasgow

Thousands of people have gathered in Glasgow to remember officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

National Police Memorial Day at the Royal Concert Hall was attended by Prince Charles and Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond.

Around 2,000 officers, dignitaries and families of the fallen have also paid their respects.

Constable Ronan Kerr was killed by a car bomb in Northern Ireland in April

A minute's silence was held during the service, followed by petals being dropped from the gallery.

Relatives of four officers killed in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales lit candles of remembrance.

One of them was Nuala Kerr, whose son Ronan was killed by a car bomb in April.

Reverend Canon David Wilbraham, the national police chaplain, led the service.

Chairman of the Scottish Police Federation Les Gray said: "It is a very moving occasion. Anyone who goes can't help being moved by it.

"It is good for the families when they see their relatives have not been forgotten and how well thought of they were."

More than 4,000 officers have died in the line of duty in the modern policing era, which stretches back over 180 years.

The first memorial service took place at St Paul's Cathedral in 2004 and has since been held in Cardiff, Belfast, Edinburgh and Liverpool.

The event takes place on the nearest Sunday to St Michael's Day, the patron saint of police.

Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales Paul McKeever added: "It is, and always will be, vitally important to recognise the sacrifice that police officers make and a chance to recognise that some pay the ultimate price for their service.

"Police officers across the country walk the line every day to protect the public. A day of reflection and remembrance is our small way of paying that back."