PC Faizaan Najeeb remembered at moving Service of Remembrance

11 August 2026

Police Constable Faizaan Najeeb was remembered alongside fellow fallen officers at a moving Service of Remembrance attended by hundreds of police officers, families and colleagues.

The annual Care of Police Survivors (COPS) service took place at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Sunday (9 August), providing an opportunity for the policing family to come together to honour those who have died in the line of duty.

Attended by loved ones of fallen colleagues, the service also raises money for COPS - a charity that supports the families of police officers and staff who have lost their lives on duty. Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet was also in attendance. 

The service marked the culmination of this year’s Police Unity Tour (PUT), a three-day cycling challenge that raises money for COPS and sees riders from forces across England and Wales cycle hundreds of miles in memory of fallen officers.

For Northamptonshire’s Police Unity Tour riders, the occasion carried particular significance.

 

The Northamptonshire Police Unity Tour team

 

Among them was Sergeant Lorna Clarke, who described the experience as both a personal challenge and a powerful opportunity to come together for a shared cause.

“I took it on initially as a personal challenge to help square away some things that I was dealing with,” said Lorna.

“And then to see such a friendly bunch of people come together and deliver miles and miles of cycling between us – we’ve done just short of 200 miles to get here – and a lot of people aren’t cyclists.

Common cause

“To be able to work together for one common cause is an amazing thing to be part of.”

Branch secretary Charlotte Pateman was among those who waved off the 22 Northamptonshire riders, plus support crew, on Friday (7 August).

On Saturday, participants were welcomed by families of fallen officers at Drayton Manor before completing the final leg of their journey to the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday, led by the Blue Knights, the world’s largest law enforcement motorcycle club.

For Lorna, the presence of Fuzz’s name on this year’s Roll of Honour made an already emotional journey even more poignant.

 

A floral tribute to fallen Northamptonshire officers
at the National Memorial Arboretum

 

“It’s always an emotional ride. It’s a long time on the bike, and we all wear a wristband with the name of a fallen officer on it,” said Lorna.

She had also been riding alongside someone who had been part of Fuzz’s team.

“That added a little bit of extra emotion and meant that we all pushed a little bit harder, I think.”

The Roll of Honour was read during the service by COPS president Gill Marshall, with PC Najeeb’s name read alongside those of officers from across the country who have died since last year’s service.

A minute’s silence followed, before wreaths were laid by representatives from organisations including the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the College of Policing, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, the Police Unity Tour, the Blue Knights, the National Memorial Arboretum and COPS.

The service included readings from family members of fallen officers, including Katie Hull, daughter of Hertfordshire Police Constable Ronald Hull, and Joanne Woodward, sister of South Wales Police Sergeant Mark Woodward. Ella Dent, stepdaughter of Metropolitan Police Constable Chris Dent, also spoke during the service.

Fallen officers

For those taking part in the Police Unity Tour, hearing directly from the families of fallen officers is one of the most powerful parts of the event.

“The service was once again just fantastic,” said Lorna.

“I say to everybody that I talk to, if there’s one thing to put in your policing bucket, it’s just attend the service, because it humbles you.”

The service was closed by Sir Peter Fahy, chair of COPS, who acknowledged the ongoing sacrifice made by police officers and the devastating impact their deaths have on those left behind.

Following the service, families and guests gathered at The Beat, an avenue of trees dedicated to individual forces and officers, to lay wreaths and single red roses.

A portion of the funds raised at last year’s Northamptonshire Police Federation Recognition of Bravery and Excellence in Policing Awards has been donated to COPS, with additional contributions made to the chapter to support them on their ride.

You can still support the Northamptonshire chapter of the 2026 Police Unity Tour by visiting their JustGiving page.

READ MORE: 'No fallen officer will ever be forgotten' - Police Unity Tour preview.