The Hindu Council United Kingdom is delighted to support a project that should be very close to our hearts: the new UK Police Memorial.
Since 1749 and the creation of the world’s first recognised Police service, the Bow Street Runners, over 4,000 men and women of all faiths including our Hindu community have given their lives serving and protecting our communities in the United Kingdom.
The vision of the new UK Police Memorial is to honour the dedication, courage and sacrifice of those who have given their lives to policing, by creating a new memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) in Staffordshire, the UK’s national place for permanent remembrance in the heart of the country.
This new Memorial will be a place for commemorating the fallen, year-round remembrance and quiet reflection, and for celebrating UK Policing. Through its educational elements, both formal and informal, it will nurture a national sense of pride and value in our Police service for generations to come.
THE NEW MEMORIAL
The project is supported by leaders, forces and associations of the Police service and will complement other memorials around the country, notably the National Police Memorial at the Mall and both ‘the Beat’, which is already located at the NMA, alongside the many memorials to the Armed Forces which the UK Police Forces have supported over the years and particularly in time of war. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.
The new Memorial will have two elements:
- A physical Memorial, which will honour the fallen and pay tribute to the sacrifice of the men and women who have served and continue to serve our nation and our communities. A major heritage project, it will be the world’s first memorial to combine both physical and digital aspects
The physical memorial will be engraved with the names of over 1,400 officers and staff who have died from injuries they sustained whilst carrying out their lawful duties. It will be positioned within a dedicated memorial garden. It has been designed after an extensive consultation process with the police service and members of the public.
- A Digital Memorial creating a world-leading truly interactive experience at the Memorial and also extending its reach beyond those who visit, to national and international audiences, achieving our goals of remembrance, honouring and education. Using the latest in online, digital and mobile technologies the Memorial will bring the personal stories of the fallen to life, and include regularly updated educational materials for schools and tour parties, fostering a deeper understanding of the value of Policing in the UK, its role in UK History since 1749,
The project is focused on enhancing the public perception of policing, especially of non-warranted officers, and recognition of the contribution of policing and police officers to society historically, now and in the future; policing is not just about arresting criminals. This type of research is key to the relationship and collaboration between academia and the police in helping society and policing to reconnect as part of a broader citizenship conversation.
The Hindu Council UK would like to request all Hindu Organisations and Hindus to extend their full support to this very worthwhile project and help to create a lasting memorial the UK Policing for the nation and for generations to come. Meanwhile, please contact Robert Astick, Robert.astick@ukpolicememorial.org, 07934 606029 if you require any more information or if you would like to have a more detailed briefing or presentation.
Best regards,
Satya Minhas, MA, FCIIA, CIA
Co-Chairperson
Email: satyaminhas@yahoo.co.uk
Mobile: 07956 655 792