Leicestershire Police Federation

11/09/2026

On behalf of Leicestershire Police, we would be honoured to invite families and friends of the fallen to attend the Official Opening of the Memorial Garden at Force Headquarters.

The Memorial Garden has been created as a peaceful place of reflection and remembrance, providing a lasting tribute to those officers and staff who dedicated their service to our communities and who are sadly no longer with us.

Date: Wednesday 16 September
Start Time: 3.00pm
Venue: Memorial Garden, Force Headquarters, St Johns, Enderby, Leicester LE19
2BX

We would be delighted if you could join us for this special occasion as we formally open the garden and take time to remember and celebrate the lives and service of those who are no longer with us.

To assist with arrangements, please confirm your attendance by emailing Events and
Awards at [email protected]

10/09/2026

Family, friends and colleagues from military and policing came together in an incredible celebration of public service at the funeral of Cleveland Police PC Tom Clough.

The 38-year-old was remembered for his wonderful sense of humour and his dedicated sense of duty at the ceremony of celebration of his life in Kirkleatham on Thursday.

As well as leaving behind his partner and surviving family members, PC Clough also left behind his beloved sausage dog Frank.

Tom was remembered at the funeral on Thursday as a man who had proudly served his country to make the world a better place and had always been on public duty throughout his life.

PC Clough's funeral cortege was led by four police horses and flanked by military personnel, police motorcycles and a a single armed response vehicle.

A piper accompanied the procession as it made its way into Kirkleatham Walled Garden.

PC Clough's coffin was adorned with a Union Jack flag and his police helmet; with a simple red and white flower arrangement.

PC Clough died – alongside PC Matthew Blades - when a Volkswagen Passat driving the wrong way down the road collided with their marked armed response car on the A66 near Middlesbrough on Saturday August 22.

In a statement released after his funeral service – via Cleveland Police Federation – PC Clough’s family said they wanted to say thank you for the support they have received.

Federation Chair Lauren Somerville said: “Tom’s family want to say thank you, the public support they have received has been overwhelming and it has helped to keep them going in these very difficult times.

“Tom wasn’t just a Cleveland Police Officer, he was a partner and a brother and a son - but he was also a father to a sausage dog called Frank, who he loved so deeply.

“Tom used to say that there wouldn’t be anybody at his funeral… as we have witnessed today, he could not have been more wrong.

“The tributes paid to Tom were uplifting, emotional and profound.

“Tom was so full of fun – he is described as giving everything to everybody.”

Police officers from Tom’s previous forces – the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and the British Transport Police – also attended the funeral to pay their respects.

Police Minister Sarah Jones represented the Government.

Dozens of colleagues from Cleveland Police flanked the street, alongside members of the public and representatives from the other emergency services to pay tribute to the popular officer.

Lauren added: “Tom was loved deeply by his colleagues, people have been contacting me who worked with Tom, years and years ago. He served in the military, he was in the Civil Nuclear Police, the British Transport Police and Cleveland Police.

“I would say that it would be an understatement to say that every single place that he served was privileged to have him with them.

“He will be hugely missed.”

09/09/2026

A loving husband and father who brought infectious “light and laughter to every room” was remembered at the emotional funeral of Cleveland Police officer PC Matt Blades.

A full Police Guard of Honour was on display with hundreds of grieving colleagues lining the streets of Hartlepool as loved ones and friends paid final respects to PC Blades at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church.

Hundreds of people packed the church, with members of the public and paramedics also in attendance on the roads outside paying their respects to the 37 year old father of two, who died on duty in the early hours of Saturday August 22.

Standard bearers from every force across the country lined the route as PC Blades’s hearse made the journey to the church.

His coffin was draped in the Union Jack flag. The hearse carried a floral tribute at its front: “Dad”.

In a statement, his family said: “Matt’s laughter may no longer fill the room, but the memories of his humour, his love and the happiness he brought us will stay in our hearts forever.”

There was silence as mourners bowed their heads as PC Blades coffin made its way slowly to the church – followed by his family - as part of the ceremonial parade.

Hundreds of officers from Cleveland Police were on parade, many wearing a patch with the thin blue line and the officers’ names and collar numbers - PC 2443 Blades and PC3234 Clough.

PC Blades died – alongside PC Tom Clough - when a Volkswagen Passat driving the wrong way down the road collided with their marked armed response car on the A66 near Middlesbrough.

In a full statement issued after the funeral from Cleveland Police Federation, his wife said: “There are no words powerful enough to express the heartbreak of losing my beloved best friend, my husband and father to our beautiful boys, especially in such tragic and unimaginable circumstances.

“The heart of our family has been taken from us and from those who loved him far too soon.

“The pain of his absence will be felt every day, but so will the love he gave, the memories he created, and the precious place he will forever hold in the hearts of his family.

“He may no longer be here to hold our hands, but his love will remain with them for the rest of their lives. He will be loved, remembered and missed beyond words, today, tomorrow and always.

“He will be incredibly proud and thankful for all the support that’s being given to us as a family.

“We miss everything about him, but perhaps most of all, we miss his laughter, his silly jokes and the way he could always make everyone smile, even when we least expected it.

“He was the joker of the family, the one who brought light and laughter into every room, and life feels unbearably quiet without him.

“Matt’s laughter may no longer fill the room, but the memories of his humour, his love and the happiness he brought us will stay in our hearts forever.

“We will miss him more than words could ever say, and we will love him always.”

Lauren Somerville, Chair of Cleveland Police Federation, said: “The Police Family came together shoulder to shoulder today, arm in arm to remember our brave colleague PC Matthew Blades.

“It was an honour and a privilege to attend today’s funeral on behalf of our colleagues across Cleveland.

“His family have shown incredible dignity and bravery since those awful events in August and it was our privilege to play our small part in honouring Matt’s memory.

“Matt was a devoted husband and father. An adored son and brother, son-in-law, and is remembered as the most fun uncle. He has been taken from his loving family far too soon and they remain squarely in our thoughts.

“The support and love we offer them does not end today. We will always be there to take care of them.”

Police Minister Sarah Jones attended the service on behalf of the Government and PC Blades’s coffin was piped into the service to the tune “Amazing Grace”.

Tributes to PC Blades were made throughout the hour long funeral service – including from Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller.

Lauren added: “Matt was a police officer who was loved deeply by his colleagues and clearly a cherished and much missed football coach.

“It was so moving to hear the stories of his humour and cheekiness. That’s the man who will be remembered fondly and we will never grow tired of hearing these stories.

“Policing Cleveland will continue – but we will ensure that Matt and Tom, and their legacy, will never be forgotten.”

08/09/2026

Policing needs long-term strategic investment, not plans that “change like the weather”, Leicestershire Police Federation has said.

Chair Andy Spence was speaking after Leicestershire PCC Rupert Matthews scrapped plans for private security patrols in towns and villages across the county.

Instead, a new police plan will see addition patrols by both police officers and PCSOs.

But Andy criticised the “months of uncertainty” it has taken to before the PCC decided to invest extra into policing, having first announced his idea for private security patrols back in February.

Andy said: “The PCC’s decision to invest money into the police service should not be headline news; it should be business as usual. It should not have taken months of uncertainty to direct funding into a force facing a deficit of more than £9m.

“Since these plans were first mentioned to me in February, I have been opposed to them. It made no sense to spend public money on private street wardens who have no powers and could only call the police.

“I am pleased that the PCC has seen sense and changed his mind. I am concerned that it has taken so long and, in doing so, has created so much work for others.

“It should also be concerning that the remainder of the money is being spent on crime reduction techniques with no measurable outcomes, rather than on police officers or PCSOs who can put their skills and training to use.

“I hope this is not a short-term funded plan. Policing needs long-term, proper investment, not ideas that change like the weather.”

07/09/2026

Extra police patrols to replace towns security plan

Andy Spence, Chair of Leicestershire Police Federation, said the announcement was "fantastic news".

"We are glad the PCC has come to his senses and realised this money is better spent within the police family," he added.

"I completely understand that these market towns need more officers but police officers and PCSOs are better trained and better equipped to deliver the best outcomes."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2zkpem41xo

Extra police and PCSOs will be deployed in market towns rather than private security being used.

07/09/2026

for Leicestershire Police officers https://www.polfed.org/leics/member-services/

02/09/2026

Historic 1 Million Signature Petition Delivered to Downing Street

This afternoon Thames Valley Police Federation went to Number 10 Downing Street to drop off the petition signed by more than 1 million people calling for the killers of PC Andrew Harper to not be released early from prison.

A historic public backing for police officers - which left the Government with no choice but to act and change their early release plans.

Aileen O’Connor, Chair of Thames Valley Police Federation, said: “The fact that more than 1 million people signed our petition calling for the killers of PC Andrew Harper to remain behind bars was a historic public backing for police officers.

“We want to thank each and every person from across the United Kingdom and the who signed it - and provided this incredible support for the police service and our colleagues working out there now, risking it all keeping the public safe.

“The fact Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his Government - despite saying it could not be done – this week eventually listened and made the right decision to keep these lowlifes behind bars has to be welcomed.

“But let’s be clear – we all left them with no option.

“The weight of public and policing anger at the plans for early release of those who kill police officers was huge. And that’s why we feel we had to still deliver this petition in person today.

“To properly acknowledge and recognise the strength of support.

“And to put the Government on notice that we will not stand – as police officers – to be treated with such disdain in the future."

01/09/2026

Remembering Sgt Brian ‘Geordie’ Dawson, of Leicestershire Police, who was shot dead as he arrived at an incident in Lambourne Road, Leicester on 1 September 1975, aged 42.

30/08/2026

Prime Minister Announces PC Andrew Harper's Killers To Stay In Jail - following relentless Thames Valley Police Federation Campaign.

TVP Federation Chair Aileen O'Connor reacts after Andy Burnham announced this morning the killers of PC Andrew Harper would now NOT be eligible for early release.

Thanks from TVP Federation go to everyone - and all Police Federations - who backed their campaign.

Aileen said: “PC Andrew Harper made the ultimate sacrifice for the job that he loved, serving communities, serving society.

“His killers should never have been considered for early release. It remains shocking that they were.

“We are pleased that the Government - despite what was frankly initial reluctance – has eventually listened, seen sense and made the right decision to keep these lowlifes behind bars.

“They had no option.

“The weight of public and policing opinion against such plans was overwhelming.

“The fact that more than 1 million people signed our petition over this was a historic public backing for police officers.

“The fact 50 Chief Constables across the UK wrote an open letter calling for the Government to reconsider was unprecedented.

“The right and proper decision has been made.”

Aileen added: “There is wider good news here that – as a result of our campaigning work – a wider collection of criminals will not be eligible for early release so there is better news today for many more families.”

Aileen concluded: “We would like to offer huge thanks to everyone who backed our campaign.

“The one million people who signed our petition and all those who offered messages of support. You have made a difference.

“Police officers put themselves in harm's way every day.

“They head towards danger when everyone else is running away.

“They do so knowing that they may never come home to their families. We have only seen in recent days in Cleveland, the danger colleagues face.

“Our thoughts remain with the families of PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades.

“And – as always – our thoughts remain with Andrew’s wife Lissie, his family, friends and close colleagues in Thames Valley Police.”

28/08/2026

The LPF Group Insurance Scheme is well known for the Life Insurance and Travel cover.
But did you know it also offers an array of other benefits including UK and European Motor Breakdown cover?
It’s a comprehensive benefit with home start, onward journey, mis fuel and more. Full details can be found at https://polfed.org/leics/group-insurance/