PW_4_2025

Article

IPA At The Emergency Services Show The IPA enjoyed a free display exhibition space at the Emergency Services Show (ESS) which was held at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) over two days on 17-18 September 2025. M ore than 12,000 people visited the ESS over the two days, and the IPA stand attracted many police visitors. The popular event was first established in London in the Royal Horticultural Halls in Victoria, London the year following the 2005 London bombings and has increased in popularity year on year, eventually moving to the larger facilities at the NEC. Next year will mark its 20th anniversary and an IPA stand has already been requested for the show, which will be again held at the NEC on 16th-17th September 2026. Tony Thompson, a member of the Advisory Council for the International Security Expo (ISE), will be moderating the Global Counter Terror & Security Summit being held at the ISE at London Olympia on 30th October and 1st September this year.

L-R: Tony Thompson (Chair IPA Avon & Somerset), Nadeem Zain (BTP), Kev Vince (West Midlands), Harbans Thiaray (Leicestershire), Rupinder Kaur Gill (Thames Valley)

Tony had asked the ISE organisers if the IPA could be provided with a free stand at the ISE but, due to a significant increase in government agencies requesting space, it was not possible. However, early discussions are taking place to obtain a space for the IPA at the 2026 event at London Olympia. We Ride For Those Who Died: The UK Police Unity Tour By Grant Donaldson In August 2026, hundreds of police officers, staff, and supporters including many IPA members from across the United Kingdom once again took to the road on two wheels for a cause that unites us all. The UK Police Unity Tour is more than just a cycling event — it is a moving tribute to fallen colleagues and a powerful demonstration of solidarity within the policing family. T he Police Unity Tour began in the United States in 1997 and has since grown into a global movement. Its mission is simple yet profound: “We Ride for Those Who Died.” Riders cover long distances by bicycle, raising awareness and funds for the families of officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. How to Get Involved Whether you are an experienced cyclist or someone seeking a new challenge, the Unity Tour is open to serving officers, retired colleagues, police staff, and those connected to the police family. Each participant commits to fundraising for COPS, with every pound making a real difference. • Ride: Join one of the regional chapters and take part in the 2026 tour. • S upport: Volunteer as part of the support crew, helping riders complete their journey. • Donate: Every contribution helps sustain the vital work of CoPS.

The UK ride was established in 2013 and has continued to grow each year. The 2026 tour promises to be the biggest yet, with regional chapters uniting for a multi-day ride culminating at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Here, participants gather for the Care of Police Survivors (CoPS) service of remembrance, a moving service of remembering and honouring colleagues whose names are etched into our history. Each participant wears a wristband dedicated to a fallen officer, carrying their name and memory throughout the journey. At the end of the ride, those bands are presented to the families of the fallen — a deeply emotional and humbling tradition. Supporters also play a crucial role, from logistics teams ensuring riders’ safety, to colleagues and communities cheering from the roadside. This remembrance, and raising funds for CoPS, the charity supporting the loved ones left behind when a police officer dies in service. Since its inception, the UK Police Unity Tour has raised over £1.8 million for CoPS, helping families rebuild their lives after unimaginable loss. As one rider put it: “The miles we ride are nothing compared to the sacrifice our colleagues made. We ride to ensure they are never forgotten.” sense of unity and shared purpose is at the heart of the tour. The Unity Tour is not just about cycling. It is about recognition,

The UK Police Unity Tour is not only open to riders from across the UK, but we are very happy to welcome international colleagues for our ride. In the past few years, we have had officers from worldwide law enforcement departments join us who have been welcomed with open arms. The IPA has always stood for friendship and solidarity across policing, and the Police Unity Tour embodies those values. By joining the ride or supporting those who do, you will be part of something bigger: a living commitment that our colleagues’ service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The 2026 tour is a powerful reminder that the thin blue line extends far beyond duty shifts and jurisdictions — it connects us all, past and present. For more information on how to take part in the UK Police Unity Tour 2026, contact tour leader Andy Swift - andy.w.swift@met.police.uk or visit: https://ukpoliceunitytour.org/ Many thanks in advance Grant

18

POLICE WORLD Vol 70 No.4, 2025