Officers and staff from Wiltshire Police have set off on a 185-mile cycle ride in memory of police officers who have died in the line of duty.
The six riders, including Assistant Chief Constable Deb Smith, are taking part in this year’s Police Unity Tour, which set off from Devizes Police Headquarters this morning - 7 August.
Over the course of three days, the riders will make their way to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, and are due to arrive on Sunday. There, a special commemoration ceremony will be held attended by officers and staff from police forces across the UK.
The ride sees participants raising money for charity Care of Police Survivors (COPS) which provides support to injured officers as well as to the families of loved ones who are left behind following the death of an on-duty serving police family member.
ACC Smith said: “It is always an absolute privilege to take part in this event to honour those officers who have sadly lost their lives whilst on duty.
“In Wiltshire, 30 Wiltshire officers have lost their lives since 1839 and we will be thinking of them all during the ride.
“I hope this event also serves as an opportunity for the public to acknowledge the dangers that officers face when policing our county day in, day out, and pay their own tributes to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
The Police Unity Tour (PUT) is a national event, with police forces from all over the country taking part every year.
The Wiltshire Chapter was this year made up of six riders and two support staff.
The Unity Tour has raised over £1 million for COPS, which has allowed the charity to buy the first respite house named Unity House.
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