PM unveils memorial to policeman
Prime Minister David Cameron has paid tribute to the dedication and courage of a police officer killed in the line of duty
PC Gary Toms of the Metropolitan Police died in April last year after suffering head injuries while trying to stop a group of robbery suspects in Leyton, east London.
Today Mr Cameron unveiled a memorial in the street where PC Toms was injured.
Speaking at the ceremony, the PM said:
I think it is really important to properly reflect on what he did: pursuing dangerous criminals at speed, not knowing how they were armed, not knowing what might happen. Doing a job like that takes unbelievable guts. It takes dedication and it takes real courage.
Gary Toms had those qualities in abundance and the tributes about him speak volumes: good humoured, hard working, always the professional, dedicated to his job, much loved by his family and much missed by his workmates. That is why we’re here today and that is why we have this lasting memorial to his service and to his sacrifice.
Mr Cameron added that such memorials were a reminder to the public of “what the police do, day in, day out” to protect them.
Police officers, PC Toms’ family and film director Michael Winner, who is the chairman and founder of the Police Memorial Trust, were among the guests at the ceremony.
Speeches and transcripts: Prime Minister’s speech at PC Toms’ memorial