Chair Mark Loker joined the Home Secretary and police chiefs, families, friends and former colleagues of the fallen in Belfast on 25 September to pay tribute to officers’ commitment, courage and sacrifice.

He said: “I’m here to mark my respect for fallen colleagues throughout the years and to be a representative of our force.

“Memorial days like today are so important because policing often gets forgotten and the trauma of survivors and those that we’ve lost over the years need to have their memories kept alive.

“It is really important that we meet for this event every year. Policing is integral in every community in England and Wales and Scotland and Ireland, and to pay our respects and to have the memory of police officers that have given their lives in duty, and those that have been caused trauma or injury, to have that memory for selfless acts of courage and bravery to communities, is so important and must be maintained.”

Mark joined 2,000 people for the service at Waterfront Hall. Members of the Royal family, who would normally attend, were absent as they are still in mourning for HM Queen Elizabeth II.

The names of officers who lost their lives over the past year were read out at the event by Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland. They are: PC Daniel Golding, of the Met; PC Craig Higgins, of Greater Manchester Police; PC Alex Prentice, of Northamptonshire Police, and PC Darryl Street, of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who gave a reading during the service, said: “To all the officers who lost their lives while working to keep us safe, we thank you and we honour you.

“Their bravery and commitment to their duty was unfaltering – society owes them and their loved ones a debt we cannot repay, but it is one we will not forget.

“As Home Secretary I make a promise to give police the powers and tools they need to do their jobs safely.”

During the service, candles were lit by relatives in remembrance of officers throughout the country who have lost their lives – one from each of the four nations of the UK.

Representing Northern Ireland was Stephen Wylie-Young, son of Constable William Raymond Wylie QPM. Stephen was just six months old when his father was murdered.

Representing Wales was Sgt Lowri Davies, daughter of PC Terence John Davies, of Gwent Police.

Representing Scotland was George Barnsley, friend and colleague of DS William Ross Hunt, of Strathclyde Police.

And representing England was Kathryn Dumphreys, widow of PC Nick Dumphreys, of Cumbria Police.

There was silence as petals of remembrance, representing all who have lost their lives, descended from the gallery as the Last Post was sounded.