SIR: The first-ever record of every police officer killed on duty is to form part of a new National Police Memorial. The first phase, a commemorative avenue of trees known as 'The Beat', was officially opened by the Home Secretary on Monday, September 8, within the National Memorial Arboretum, a major Millennium project sited in Staffordshire.

I am compiling the Book of Remembrance which the public will be able to view on site. This will pay tribute to those police officers of the United Kingdom who have lost their lives in the line of duty, whether by criminal act, misadventure or accident.

After more than 10 years research the names and details of more than 3,000 officers have been traced, going back two centuries. However, older records are scarce and names may have been missed; anyone who can help with local research or who would like further information is asked to contact me. I would particularly like to hear from relatives or descendants of officers killed on duty.

Sergeant Anthony Rae,

Lancashire Constabulary HQ,

Hutton, Preston, PR4 5SB. ? ?

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.