Charles leads tribute to officers

PRINCE Charles yesterday led tributes to Sergeant Matiu Ratana as remembrance services were held across the country.

He said the officer’s death was a stark reminder that there are ‘losses we can never replace, sacrifices we can never repay.’

Boris Johnson also paid tribute in a speech for National Police Memorial Day, which was yesterday. He said the country owed a ‘huge debt’ to Sgt Ratana and the thousands of police who put their lives on the line every day.

Home Secretary Priti Patel, Metropolitan Police chief Cressida Dick and London Mayor Sadiq Khan laid wreaths in central London as part of the commemorations.

Leading the National Police Memorial Day tributes, which were held by video link due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Prince Charles said: ‘The dreadful incident in Croydon on Friday is the latest heartbreaking evidence of the risks faced by our officers daily.

‘These are losses we can never replace, sacrifices we can never repay, but of which, as a society, we can only strive to be worthy.’

Mr Johnson paid tribute to the fallen officers who ‘represent the very best of us’.

He added: ‘They laid down their lives to prevent us from coming to harm and for that we owe them a huge debt. The dedication and selflessness that they showed in serving their communities will never be forgotten.’

Earlier, Ms Dick, Mr Khan and Mrs Patel laid wreaths at the National Police Memorial before standing for a minute’s silence.