Campaign to honour injured police heroes
TORY MPS are leading a drive to honour hero police officers injured in the line of duty.
Police who are killed are awarded the new Elizabeth Emblem, but there is still no official accolade for those who survive – often with life-altering injuries.
Now a campaign for recognition led by injured former Sussex officer Tom Curry, 74, is being championed by three Conservatives.
It comes after two officers were wounded in a deadly sword attack in Hainault, North East London, 11 days ago.
A female officer who intervened in the horror, in which 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin died, almost lost her hand.
Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood, who tried to save the life of PC Keith Palmer in the 2017Westminster Bridge terror attack, has backed the campaign.
Jihadi killer Khalid Masood left five dead and 50 injured, including former Met officer Kris Aves, 42, who was paralysed from the waist down.
Mr Ellwood said: “Officers in our valiant police force do something quite incredible day in day out.
“They leave the house each morning, saying goodbye to their family and loved ones – not knowing how their day will unfold, but in full knowledge they may have to step into harm’s way.
“Tragically, some are left with horrendous
injuries and it is absolutely right we formally honour these brave officers whose lives have now changed because of the consequences.”
In March, the Government announced police, firefighters and other service workers who died in the line of duty would receive the Elizabeth Emblem – a posthumous award for their service.
There is no equivalent honour for injured officers – other than rare gallantry awards such as the George Cross.
PC Sharon Beshenivsky, 38, was finally honoured after being shot dead by armed
robbers in Bradford in 2005, but there remains no equivalent medal recognition for her surviving police partner Teresa Milburn.
Mr Curry, who suffered a life-changing injury in 1989 after being attacked by a mob in Hastings, Sussex, has also secured parliamentary support from Conservative MP Theresa Villiers and Deputy Speaker Sir Roger Gale, as well as the Police Federation.
He said: “Officers injured while on duty and through no fault of their own medically retired have been virtually cast aside with little thought having been given to the sacrifice they made. To have police officers maimed on the streets of the UK in the 21st century and for them not to receive any form of medal recognition is a national disgrace.
“Many of the severely injured are known to me personally and some are in wheelchairs. Some have sustained severe brain damage. In all cases, their plight is harrowingly sad.”
Chipping Barnet MP Ms Villiers added: “I strongly support the campaign by Tom Curry, and my constituent Kris Aves, for a new medal to be created to honour seriously injured police officers.
“Their bravery and sacrifice should be recognised. They put their own safety on the line to keep us all safe.
“They deserve our gratitude and the new medal for which Tom and Kris are calling for would be a great way to demonstrate this.”
Last week the Sunday Express reported that Home Secretary James Cleverly had told police bosses that rank-and-file officers who show courage in the line of duty should be honoured with medals.
He said “We should not under-estimate the bravery and courage shown by coppers every day. I want to make sure every brave officer gets the recognition they deserve.”
‘They do something incredible every day’