Kilmarnock widow labels new police memorial a 'vanity project'

A new memorial is being unveiled in England today to remember all UK officers who have died in the line of duty.

The brass structure stands 12 metres high at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and is designed to honour the courage and sacrifice of all those from across the police service who have dedicated their lives to protecting the public.

But it is facing criticism from some families of the victims.

Christine Fulton lost her husband Lewis Fulton from Kilmarnock in 1994. The police officer was stabbed in Glasgow while responding to a call and died in hospital.

Christine said, "I am extremely disappointed that they have failed to take into account the wishes of the survivor families. What they have built is just not what we want. It's a vanity project.

"The area that the new memorial has been built in has sufficient space around it to allow for a simple wall with the names engraved. It doesn't need to be anything extravagant. We just want to see their names in stone.

"It's for my fellow survivors who don't have the luxury that I do. We have a memorial. They don't in England. There is nowhere they can go to see their officer's name and to touch the name."

Chair of the Trustees for UK Police Memorial Sir Hugh Orde said ahead of the unveiling, "As a nation, we owe all those who have laid down their lives to keep us safe and protect us from harm a huge debt of gratitude. This memorial will ensure that the memory of those officers and staff who have died lives on in perpetuity.

"This is a place that will not only honour the courage and sacrifice of the men and women from our police service, but it will become a fitting tribute to honour all those who continue to serve.”

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