Police Unity Tour 2024 – riding to remember the fallen

Officers and staff from the four Welsh Police Forces have just returned from a 200-mile cycle ride in memory of police officers and staff who have died in the line of duty.

The policing peloton – involving cyclists, motorcycle outriders and support teams taking part in this year’s Police Unity Tour set off from Aberystwyth Police Station on Friday 26 July, and made their way to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire over the course of three days.

They arrived on Sunday where a special commemoration ceremony was held attended by officers and staff from police forces across the UK.

The teams were raising money for the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity, which provides support to injured officers and staff as well as to the families of loved ones who are left behind following the death of an on-duty serving police family member.

Each rider was issued a blue memorial bracelet inscribed with the name and information of a Police Officer who died in the line of duty, which was carried over to the finish line.

Through online donations and cake sales the team from North Wales Police have so far raised almost £4,000. Those wishing to donate to the cause can continue to do so via justgiving.com

Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said: “The COPS charity is extremely close to my heart and it is always a real honour to take part in this event. The Unity Tour is certainly an event which makes us proud to be part of the police family.

“Over 500 cyclists and support team members from across the UK took part in this year’s tour and it was quite a poignant moment seeing everyone arrive at the Arboretum.

“I want to thank everyone from this year’s North Wales Police contingent, and indeed the other three Welsh forces for playing their part in honouring the memory of all police officers and staff who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

“I’m especially proud of the North Wales team who cycled approximately 130 miles from Police Headquarters in Colwyn Bay down to Aberystwyth on the Thursday.

Chief Constable Blakeman added: “The Unity Tour is a poignant opportunity for all police officers, staff, volunteers as well as the wider public, to acknowledge the dangers and risks of modern-day policing and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives whilst protecting our communities.

“The work that COPS do is absolutely essential, and whilst nobody should ever have to use their services, the sad fact is that they are required. It is an absolute privilege to collectively ride in memory of our fallen colleagues, to show that we, as a police service, will never forget their sacrifice.”

North Wales Police Federation Communications and Case Officer Jayne Humphreys said: “The Police Unity Tour is an event which makes us proud to be part of the police family.

“The COPS service on the Sunday morning is always an emotional experience for the cyclists, support teams, families and their guests and gives everyone the chance to catch up. It was a real privilege to represent the North Wales Police Federation and support the riders, survivors and the charity.”

Notes:

• The Police Unity Tour began in New Jersey, United States in 1997 to raise awareness for officers killed in the line of duty, honour their sacrifices and raise funds for families.
• COPS is a UK registered charity dedicated to helping the families of police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. They aim to ensure to ensure that survivors have all the help they need to cope with such a tragedy, and that they remain part of the police family as they rebuild their lives. Find out more via: Care of Police Survivors - Support for Bereaved Families | COPS UK (ukcops.org)
• Further information regarding the tour is available via the website https://ukpoliceunitytour.org/

Tour itinerary:

Day 1: Thursday 25^th July

• The four Welsh forces travelled and met in Aberystwyth – approx. 130 miles for those cycling from North Wales.

Day 2: Friday 26^th July (official start of the Unity Tour)

• The Welsh chapter travelled from Aberystwyth via Rhayader, Ludlow and Telford – approx. 100 miles.

Day 3: Saturday 27^th July

• Travel from Telford via Stone to Tamworth – approx. 75 miles.

Day 4: Sunday 28^th July

• Travel from Tamworth to the National Memorial Arboretum – approx. 15 miles.