Hertfordshire Police Federation

03/09/2026

🤝 HERTS FED SUPPORTS CLEVELAND COLLEAGUES

“The support being shown by colleagues, the Federation and members of the public has been extraordinary,” says Luke Mitchell following his visit to Cleveland.

The chair of Hertfordshire Police Federation travelled to the North-East region following the tragic deaths of police officers, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough.

Luke said the visit provided a first-hand insight into the profound impact the loss has had on the small force, with the close-knit nature of the organisation having made the deaths particularly difficult for those left behind.

“Officers have shown remarkable resilience, but have also been open about how they are feeling and the impact the tragedy has had on them,” said Luke, who spent time supporting the team that worked with both officers.

“There was clearly a strong sense of officers and staff coming together, particularly in and around the stations where the two officers worked.

“And the impact has not been limited to police officers. Police staff have also been experiencing their own grief and emotions, with the force providing significant welfare support.

“One of the most difficult realities for officers following such a devastating event is that policing does not stop.

“The investigation continues. Daily business continues. Officers still have to respond to calls, protect the public and support their communities, despite what they may be experiencing personally. That is the nature of policing.”

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“The support being shown by colleagues, the Federation and members of the public has been extraordinary,” says Luke Mitchell following his visit to Cleveland.

02/09/2026

CHAIR WELCOMES DECISION TO BLOCK KILLERS' EARLY RELEASE

Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Luke Mitchell has strongly welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement that PC Andrew Harper’s killers will remain behind bars.

Luke thanked the members and the public who supported the campaign to block their early release.

He said its success demonstrated the power of collective action and standing together.

The Federation had encouraged people to contact their MPs and sign a petition calling for PC Harper’s killers to serve their full sentences, while a nationwide petition received more than one million signatures.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (pictured) announced that anyone convicted of unlawful killing, including manslaughter, will now be explicitly excluded from the early release policy. Under previous guidelines, two of PC Harper’s killers would have been eligible for early release.

Luke said: “This decision incredibly positive news and shows what we can achieve when we stand together.

“I want to say a massive thank you to our members and to the public who backed this campaign, wrote to their MPs, and signed the petition.

“PC Harper was a serving officer killed in the line of duty. His killers should never have been considered for early release in the first place.

“Police officers, their families, and members of the public stood together because they believed justice must be served.

“The fact that so many people came together and made their voices heard shows the immense power of our collective voice. This decision was the direct result of a unified front."

READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4wZ4M3d

30/08/2026

🏠 FREE MORTGAGE ADVICE FOR FEDERATION MEMBERS

Hertfordshire Police Federation members can get independent mortgage advice through its member services partner Uniform Mortgages.

Uniform Mortgages has been working with Police Federation branches and members since 2002 and has extensive experience of helping police officers navigate the mortgage market.

It can provide advice for a range of circumstances, including first-time buyers, purchasing a new home, remortgaging and buy-to-let properties.

Uniform Mortgages also holds regular mortgage clinics, giving members the opportunity to speak to an adviser on a no-obligation basis.

CONTACT UNIFORM MORTGAGES: https://bit.ly/4ycY7nf

29/08/2026

⚖️ EXPERT LEGAL SUPPORT FOR FEDERATION MEMBERS

Hertfordshire Police Federation members can access specialist legal support from member services partner DGM Solicitors.

DGM Solicitors holds regular clinics in person and on Teams which give members the opportunity to speak directly with specialist solicitor John Greenall and receive expert advice on a range of legal issues.

The firm deals with:

- All types of accidents on duty, road traffic claims, injuries from animals, during training, and injuries in public places
- Trips, slips and falls at work
- Stress with work/complex PTSD
- Clinical negligence
- Professional negligence
- Noise-induced deafness claims
- A bespoke service for armed response officers
- CICA & IIDB appeals

CONTACT DGM SOLICITORS: https://bit.ly/4gxfQOP

28/08/2026

Police officer pay is set to increase by 3.5% across all ranks in England and Wales from 1 September 2026.

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Find out more about our offers, ISA options and how to apply on our website ⬇️
https://policefriendly.org.uk/isas

26/08/2026

FED STANDS WITH CLEVELAND COLLEAGUES AFTER TRAGEDY

Chair Luke Mitchell says Hertfordshire Police Federation will support colleagues in Cleveland Police ‘in any way it can’ after two officers were killed on duty.

Luke paid tribute to PC Matt Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, who died in the early hours of Saturday (22 August) after their marked armed response vehicle was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Passat near Middlesbrough.

Cleveland Police Federation has established a fundraising appeal that has raised more than £980,000 to support the families of PC Blades and PC Clough.

Luke said the response has been ‘extraordinary’.

He said: “The thoughts of everyone at Hertfordshire Police Federation are very much with Matt and Tom’s families, friends and colleagues at Cleveland. There are no words that can adequately express the scale of the loss they are facing.

“When two officers fail to return home after their shift, it has a huge impact right across policing

“We know that risk is part of the job, but that does not make a tragedy like this any easier to comprehend.

“Our Chief Constable and I have already discussed this, and Hertfordshire Police and the Federation will act to support colleagues in Cleveland in any way we can."

READ MORE: https://bit.ly/3Sg6OOm

21/08/2026

✍️ FED MEMBERS URGED TO CONTACT MPS TO STRENGTHEN CAMPAIGN AGAINST EARLY RELEASE FOR PC ANDREW HARPER KILLERS

Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Luke Mitchell has called on branch members to reach out to their local MPs over concerns that the killers of PC Andrew Harper could be granted early release from prison.

PC Harper, a Thames Valley Police officer, was killed in August 2019 after responding to a report of a quadbike theft. He was fatally dragged along a country road by a car while carrying out his duties.

Two of the men that were in the car were each convicted of manslaughter and given 13 years in prison.

Under an updated UK Sentencing Act, however, the pair could become eligible to serve only half of their sentences as part of a scheme intended to alleviate prison overcrowding.

The prospect of their early release has been widely criticised, with a petition calling for the men to serve their full sentences having now passed one million signatures.

Branch chair Luke believes this level of opposition should send a clear message to the Government and is now urging people to use their local MPs to express it further.

He said: “The response to this petition has been extraordinary and, importantly, it shows that this is not simply an issue for policing.

“More than a million people have taken the time to put their name to something because they believe the killers of PC Harper should serve the sentences handed to them.

“That strength of feeling now needs to be built on and reinforced.

“With Parliament due to return in September, now is a great time to get our voices heard to hopefully affect some further change to the early release scheme.

“Therefore, I would encourage Federation members, as well as the wider policing family and the general public, to express their views in a firm, respectful message to their local MP.”

READ MORE AND FIND YOUR LOCAL MP: https://bit.ly/4gJVxyZ

14/08/2026

👉 FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR MEMBERS

Serve and Protect Credit Union has released its latest set of quarterly tips to help public sector workers manage their finances.

The advice from Serve and Protect comes in an easy-to-follow factsheet designed to make you feel better informed and equipped on a range of money-related topics.

As the school summer holidays continue, there is information on how to cut down on childcare costs, alongside helpful insights on getting your kids ready to return to education without breaking the bank.

September is also highlighted in the resource as an ideal time for a financial reset, with four things to check to ensure your money is going as far as possible.

DOWNLOAD FACTSHEET AND FIND OUT MORE: https://bit.ly/4x1ezqw

10/08/2026

🕯 HERTS OFFICER REMEMBERED AT COPS SERVICE

The daughter of a fallen Hertfordshire police officer told this year’s COPS Service of Remembrance about the lasting impact of losing her father - and how his legacy ultimately inspired her to follow in his footsteps.

Detective Katie Hull was among those who spoke at the event, which took place on Sunday (9 August), at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where she shared the story of her father, Police Constable Ronald Hull.

Ronald was killed while carrying out his duties in 1989 after being struck by a vehicle while attending a road traffic collision.

For Katie, who was just eight years old at the time, the events of that day would change her family forever.

“My dad went to work that morning doing his job,” she told those gathered at the service. “Like so many officers remembered here today, he did not come home.”

Katie recalled how her mother was told about the crash shortly before her children were due home from school.

At the time, Katie was eight, her brother James was seven and her brother Matthew was four.

“I remember being walked home by someone we didn't know, who later transpired to be the welfare officer,” she said, adding: “When we got to our house, there were police cars filling the driveway and people throughout the house.

“My mum had to tell us what had happened. I don’t know how she found the strength to do that.”

READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4xAwHaA

09/08/2026

⏰ TIME IS RUNNING OUT

If you have not filled in this year's Pay and Morale Survey, there's only one day left to have your say.

Make your voice heard on pay, wellbeing and the challenges of policing.

Don't miss out. Complete the survey here 👉 https://bit.ly/458rUAU