Memorials to former police officers to be brought together

The memorials of Bradford Chief Constable Harry Ambler, Sergeant Michael Hawcroft and PC Sharon Beshenivsky are being brought together in one location.

Norfolk Gardens will host the triple memorial, which will be unveiled at 2.30pm on Thursday.

Alan Pickles, a member of the Bradford Branch of the National Association of Retired Police Officers (Narpo), said: “Mr Ambler was the last Chief Constable of the Bradford City Police, from 1957 until 1973 and was held in high regard by all those who worked with him. His memorial stone bears the inscription ‘and all the personnel who served with him’ and I think that this represents the kind of man he was.

“About three years ago Narpo arranged for a new stone to be cut to Mr Ambler, replacing the original stone which had been damaged, and to position the memorials of Bradford’s fallen colleagues alongside it.

“The original memorials to Sergeant Hawcroft and Constable Beshenivsky have therefore been relocated from Centenary Square.

“Last year was the 30th anniversary of Sergeant Hawcroft’s death on duty, after he was murdered whilst attempting to arrest two youths who were stealing a motor car.

“This rededication event will acknowledge his service and that of Constable Beshenivsky who also lost her life whilst on duty, attending an armed robbery.”

Family, former colleagues, local dignitaries and the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, Sir Norman Bettison, will attend.