The Prince of Wales attends National Police Memorial Day

More than 1,000 people attended the National Police Memorial Day last weekend at Liverpool Cathedral.

The ceremony dedicated to remembering fallen officers was also attended by Prince Charles and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

At the ceremony four candles were lit, representing the police forces across the four countries of the UK.

Prince Charles was handed a scroll containing a list of nearly 4,000 officers’ names from the Police Roll of Honour by the widow of PC John Henry of Bedfordshire Police. Mr Henry was stabbed to death when responding to an incident last year.

In the opening address the Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend James Jones, said: “We should not acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice of the police without at the same time identifying the pressures that we as a society place the police under.”

Ms Smith said: “It is right that once a year we stop and take time to remember those people who dedicate their lives to the police service and have lost their lives.”

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said: “It was a very moving service in a very, very beautiful cathedral. I am very proud this annual service has taken hold because police officers, every time they go out of the door, risk their lives and it is only right that we remember them and their families.”

The memorial event was organised by the Police Roll of Honour Trust, founded five years ago by PC Joe Holness of Kent Police, after the death of a colleague who was carrying out road safety checks.