Following a record-breaking year last year, with hundreds of poppies created and pinned onto Unknown Tommy statues across West Mercia, Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion is once again inviting communities to come together by making and pinning poppies onto the six 'Tommies’ in the lead up to Remembrance Day.
In tribute to servicemen and women – past and present – the statues will be located outside police stations in Telford (Malinsgate), Malvern, Shrewsbury (Monkmoor), Hereford, Kidderminster and at West Mercia Police’s Headquarters at Hindlip from Friday 26 September, so get creating now!
First introduced in 2022, the statues remind us of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the protection of others.
On Tuesday 11 November, the six statues will line up together at Malvern police station in south Worcestershire for a wreath laying ceremony to honour former and serving police officers and members of the Armed Forces.
West Mercia Police and the PCC have a proud and long history of recognising the role both former and serving military personnel play in keeping our communities safe, indeed a number have chosen to join West Mercia’s ranks when returning to civilian life.
The PCC also funds Remember Veterans, an initiative that provides dedicated support for military veterans who are currently in contact with — or at risk of becoming involved in — the criminal justice system.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “The sacrifice these individuals made in keeping people and communities safe cannot be underestimated. And it is important and right we all take time out of our lives to honour the Armed Forces, as well as ex-service personnel including those who serve within West Mercia Police to keep our communities safe.
“The Unknown Tommy statues not only do that but also help bring communities together as they help to decorate the iron figures; bringing the past, present and future generations together in this fitting tribute to our nation's heroes.”
As the statues are outside, poppies will need to be able to withstand the weather. For more information on creating poppies, visit –
Pin Your Poppy – West Mercia Police Crime Commissioner
Other Posts
-
Hello world! Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!
-
PCC opens £150k grant to support healthy relationships in young people
Violence against women and girls is rightly under the spotlight with offences rising across the country. In West Mercia, Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion continues to hear from victims and those impacted about the importance of tackling this behaviour at its root. As part of that journey, the PCC has opened a £150,000 grant […] -
Additional funding welcomed, but victims must remain the priority
As part of the Government’s prisoner early release scheme, £195,000 has been awarded to PCC John Campion to help ensure victim services can provide vital support to those who need it. The PCC has chosen to use the funding to enhance the existing West Mercia Victim Support Gateway through a dedicated Victims' Champion role. […]