Avon and Somerset Police Federation

17/12/2025

Government announces whole life orders for murders connected to the off-duty and retired police, prison or probation officer's current or former duties.

https://polfed.org/news/latest-news/2025/pfew-welcomes-landmark-sentencing-reform-to-protect-police-prison-and-probation-staff/

15/12/2025

The Police Family came together today to pay tribute at the funeral of PC Mat Parker, who died on duty on Wednesday, 19 November.

Steve Martin, Chair of Essex Police Federation, said: "Today we came together in great numbers to honour and say goodbye to Police Constable Mat Parker. The scale of attendance reflected the deep respect and affection held for Mat, not only within Essex Police but across the wider policing family and his friends.

"As Chair of Essex Police Federation, I was humbled to stand alongside his family, friends, and colleagues in paying tribute to a man who served with dedication, courage, and compassion. Mat’s commitment to protecting the public and supporting his fellow officers will never be forgotten.

"The strength shown by his loved ones today was remarkable, and the outpouring of support from across the service is a testament to the impact Mat had on so many lives.

"On behalf of the Federation, I extend our deepest condolences to Mat’s family and assure them that they remain firmly in our thoughts. We will continue to stand beside them, and beside all our officers, and offer support if needed.

"Rest in peace, Mat. Your service and sacrifice will always be remembered."

12/12/2025

40,601 working days were lost to sickness last year in Avon and Somerset Police, which shows just how much pressure officers are under, the Chair of Avon and Somerset Police Federation said.

Tom Gent was commenting on Home Office figures collected by The Telegraph, which show that, nationally, 1.63 million police working days were lost to illness or injury in the year to March, the highest level since records began.

Tom said: “Our officers face relentless workloads and traumatic incidents, and many tell me they are simply unable to stop and have a break. These figures aren’t just numbers – they represent real people under immense pressure.

“Our officers desperately want to give their all to protect the public, but we need to look after them too. Policing urgently needs more Government funding, as asking officers who are already under pressure and have such high workloads to do even more is not sustainable, nor does it allow us to deliver the best service to the public.”

A spokesman from the Police Federation of England and Wales commented on the national figures, saying: “Policing in 2025 is a service that is breaking the people whose bravery and dedication protect communities across the country every day.

“Police officers are exposed to hundreds of traumatic incidents every year and every incident leaves its mark. With assaults on officers at record levels and the job getting more dangerous, these figures are not surprising.

“What is shocking is the record number of police officers – nearly 9,000 a year – who are resigning from policing before the job breaks them. More than 18 officers die by su***de every year.

“Policing needs to fix its leadership and create healthy workplaces where officers can thrive. Bad pay, worse morale and the challenge of working in conditions where every shift ends late and rest days are cancelled regularly are contributory factors to sickness absence.”

11/12/2025

Huge congratulations to our colleague Jo Babbage who has been named Family Liaison Coordinator of the Year.

Jo led the UK policing response to the Air India flight AI171 disaster, coordinating support for families affected by the incident.

Her leadership, compassion, and professionalism ensured every family received the care and support they needed during an incredibly challenging time.

Many Congratulations from all at Avon and Somerset Police Federation to Jo - a true example of the very best in policing.

09/12/2025

Thanks to the efforts of DCI Mark Almond and colleagues, a man has been jailed for life for the murder of 19-year-old Eddie King Muthemba Kinuthia in Bristol in 2023.

https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/news/2025/11/man-jailed-for-life-for-murder-and-attempted-murder/

01/12/2025

Guard of Honour as young Police Officer who died is laid to rest

Rehaan Akhtar, 28, died after vanishing on a night out in the early hours of Sunday, November 23

28/11/2025

Liam is a dedicated family man and Police Officer. He has put others above himself his whole life, and now Liam and his family need your help.

Three months ago Liam was preparing for the arrival of his third child when he was rushed into ho… Jacob Fairburn needs your support for Liam and The Sealey’s

27/11/2025

Remembering PC Deborah Leat, of Avon and Somerset Constabulary, who died on duty on this day in 1986

25/11/2025

Tributes have been paid to South Wales Police PC Rehaan Akhtar, who was sadly found dead off duty yesterday.

The 28-year-old's body was found in the Avon and Somerset Police area - his death is being treated as "unexplained, but not suspicious".

Thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this awful time.

Rehaan began his journey with South Wales Police as a PCSO in Cardiff in October 2021. He went on to train as a Police Officer and joined the local team in Swansea as a Police Constable in September 2023.

Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan said: "I was shocked and saddened to learn of Rehaan’s passing. At this difficult time, our hearts go out to Rehaan's family and friends, and we will do all we can to support them.

“During his time with South Wales Police he served our communities with pride and professionalism as both a PCSO and a Police Officer. I know he was greatly respected and liked by his colleagues and those he met as part of his day-to-day duties.

"On behalf of South Wales Police, I offer our heartfelt condolences to all of those impacted by his passing."

Rehaan's family is being offered support by a specialist family liaison officer. "We keep them in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time," said Avon and Somerset Police.

24/11/2025

A police sergeant was left unable to drive, shower or dress herself after a Palestine Action activist allegedly hit her with a sledgehammer during a break-in at an Israeli defence firm's UK site, a trial has heard.

Six people are accused of using a prison van to break into Elbit Systems UK factory near Bristol armed with weapons and pyrotechnics in the early hours of August 6 last year.

Sgt Kate Evans told Woolwich Crown Court the injury left her with "severe pain". She was off work for three months.

The case continues https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g54g1r15eo

The officer could not drive, shower or dress herself after being struck with a sledgehammer.

21/11/2025

Providing officers with more support – especially when they are under investigation and at higher risk of su***de – is vital, the Chair of Avon and Somerset Police Federation has said.

Tom Gent was speaking while at the Police Federation of England and Wales’s 2025 Annual Conference, held on 18-19 November.

One of the most impactful sessions was ‘Code Zero: Policing’s Su***de Crisis’, where delegates heard from the widow of a police sergeant who died of su***de earlier this year.

The speakers concluded that forces need to step up the recording of the number of police su***des and provide welfare support to officers, particularly those under investigation, who are more likely to take their own lives.

PFEW has written to forces asking how many of their officers had died by su***de between 2022 and 2024. Two large forces are yet to respond, but so far PFEW has heard of 55 officers who took their own lives in this period, of whom 34 were under investigation. In addition, 120 had reported attempting to take their own lives, 71 of whom were under investigation.

Tom said: “The high number of police su***des is a tragic situation. There’s a really strong link with misconduct investigations, so welfare and compassion is very important when we're dealing with misconduct. And with the amount of trauma that officers are dealing with day to day, we really need that welfare support in place.”

Tom said that the Conference had been “really inspiring”, and that another good initiative was the Federation’s rolling out of the Victim and Witness Support Programme.

He said: “It’s a way to support victims, which we probably haven't been very good at in the past. And certainly in Avon and Somerset, it's something we really want to focus on over the next year.”

Tom continued: “We've got 10 Avon and Somerset Fed Reps here, including me. It’s been good to see some of the wider issues: things we're campaigning for and pushing Government on, around reporting for su***de, influencing police reform and some more long-term, strategic things as well."

Delegates at the PFEW Annual Conference voted to introduce a £2 per month increase in member subscriptions from 1 January 2026. See more on what the increase will deliver here: polfed.org/news/latest-news/2025/2026-subscription-changes-confirmed-following-conference-vote/

20/11/2025

Devastating news as it has been announced that an Essex Police Officer died on duty yesterday.

The officer was responding to an emergency when a collision on the A12 took place on the stretch of road near Ingatestone at around 12.25pm on (Wednesday 19 November).

Sadly the officer - who has not been named at this stage - died at the scene.

Steve Martin, Chair of Essex Police Federation, said: "This is heartbreaking news and the thoughts of all officers are with our close colleague's family, friends and colleagues at this time.

"Policing is a profession that comes with risk every day and this incident is a saddening example of the dangers we face on duty.

"If any officers need any assistance then they should contact the Federation and we will support them as best we can."

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: “My thoughts and prayers, and those of the entire Essex Police family, are with the officer’s family and friends.

“I want to pay tribute to our professional and courageous colleague. He was a dedicated professional who died doing his job – protecting and serving the people of Essex. I will always be grateful for his service.

“We are supporting the officer’s colleagues and his family at this extremely difficult time."