Avon and Somerset Police Federation

30/05/2026

We’re proud to recognise PC Rebecca Lovell and PC Zak Ghent, whose actions at an incident in Bristol earned them a Royal Humane Society Certificate at our recent Force Awards.

Rebecca and Zak were first on scene at a serious road traffic collision in October 2023. Faced with a highly challenging situation, they acted quickly and calmly, working together to reach the vehicle occupant, provide reassurance, and deliver critical first aid until further emergency services arrived. Their teamwork, skill and compassion played a vital role in saving a life.

Reflecting on the award, Rebecca said: “It is such a privilege to receive this award, and I am so glad I get to share it with Zak. It was a team effort on the night and I’m so grateful we could support each other through that. The outcome could have been very different, and it’s heartwarming to know that maybe something we did helped.”

Zak, who has served with Avon and Somerset Police for nearly a decade across a range of roles, added: “I feel privileged to have been recognised in this way. I was simply doing what I was trained to do and acted instinctively. My actions were just one part of a much wider team effort, from colleagues on scene to medical staff and investigators.”

Their professionalism, humility and care in exceptionally difficult circumstances reflect the very best of policing.

26/05/2026

Police officers face an average of between 400 and 600 traumatic incidents during their careers – compared to a member of the public facing three or four such incidents in their lifetimes.

Our latest podcast is available for colleagues to watch/listen to now on YouTube and Spotify, where we explore these statistics and what might better protect officers who are overly exposed to distressing scenes.

In this clip, host Royston Martis, Chair Tom Gent and guest Insp Stuart King discuss Trauma trackers and monitoring the toll of the job on police officers in England and Wales.

And how the trackers might help supervisors better protect their colleagues.

Watch the Podcast in full here https://youtu.be/m1TalyanfGs

Or listen on Spotify here https://open.spotify.com/episode/523vgH75WnEmFpASHXDbS1

The 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line is an independent and confidential service for anyone working in policing experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts. If you’re in crisis, and need help now, call 0300 131 2789 https://www.oscarkilo.org.uk/crisis-line

22/05/2026

Police officers who have given decades of service to this country have had their retirement plans changed overnight.

This week, the Government introduced new commutation factors for officers in the 1987 Police Pension Scheme following a Treasury decision to increase the SCAPE discount rate.

While the terminology may sound technical, the impact on retiring officers is very real.

From today, officers retiring under the 1987 scheme will receive almost 5% less in lump sum payments for giving up the same amount of annual pension than an officer retiring just last week. For many, that represents a loss of thousands of pounds with immediate effect.

What makes this particularly concerning is the speed of the change.
Many officers have only recently received retirement quotations and benefit illustrations based on the previous figures.

Those figures inform major life decisions, mortgages, debt repayments, supporting family members and long-term retirement planning.

Now, with no warning, no transition period and no protections, the goalposts have moved.

The Police Federation is now seeking independent actuarial and legal advice on:
• the scale and justification for the changes
• whether officers who relied on recent quotations may have suffered financial detriment
• What legal remedies may be available

Police Federation National Secretary John Partington said:
“After decades of service, the ‘thanks’ retiring officers get is this: government quietly shaving cash off a hard-earned retirement overnight. It’s a blatant case of picking the pockets of police pensioners, and we will not let it stand.”

Police officers cannot strike. They cannot freely negotiate pay. Throughout their careers, they miss birthdays, rest days, weekends, and family milestones in service to the public.

The least they should expect is certainty and fairness when they retire.

Members, please check your emails for further information and guidance on the changes announced this week.

Add your voice to thousands who have 👇
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=IJTX9mriHUe68V29n-n68x6or_dn_91EhYtIqAFCmSRUM0NKUlVLMTdYQjFUTTNWQzdMNFpXSVVSMSQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl

18/05/2026

Sad news as tributes are paid to Metropolitan Police Officer PC Kev John, who has died suddenly.

PC John began his service as a Special Constable at Kennington, before becoming a full-time Police Officer on in June 2010.

Thoughts are with his family, friends and close colleagues following his death on Wednesday 6 May.

17/05/2026

Remembering PC Stephen Jones, of Avon & Somerset Constabulary, who died on duty on this day in 1999 during the pursuit of a stolen vehicle.

15/05/2026

Our latest podcast is available for colleagues to watch/listen to now on YouTube and Spotify.

In this clip, host Royston Martis, Chair Tom Gent and guest Insp Stuart King discuss Trauma trackers and monitoring the toll of the job on police officers in England and Wales

Watch the Podcast in full here https://youtu.be/m1TalyanfGs

Or listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/523vgH75WnEmFpASHXDbS1?si=XiY38tIQQpSRjBeIP3CcxQ

12/05/2026

Tributes have been paid to Ministry of Defence Police officer PC Mark Chester after he died on his way home from work on Saturday 2nd May.

PC Chester was posted with the MDP Portsmouth Marine Unit and previously worked with Surrey Police.

A colleague said: "Mark was an amazing man and friend to many. Portsmouth is much poorer without him now."

The Care of Police Survivors Charity said: "Thoughts are with PC Chester's family, friends and colleagues at the Ministry of Defence Police at this incredibly difficult time."

Darren Pemble, Chair of Surrey Police Federation, said: "Mark was well liked and had a great sense of humour. He was a good police officer.

"All at Surrey Police Federation offer Mark's family our support and condolences."

08/05/2026

Policing in England and Wales faces a reckoning over the levels of trauma experienced by officers and staff as “trauma tracker” tools are to be mandated by ministers to ensure the psychological toll caused by exposure to death, abuse and neglect is recorded.

A Home Office white paper published in January outlined a legislative push to make trauma monitoring systems mandatory across all 43 forces in England and Wales.

Leading the development is Insp Stuart King, an officer with 23 years of service, who helped develop a prototype system being used by his force, Avon and Somerset Police.

Tom Gent, Chair of Avon and Somerset Police Federation, said: “I had the privilege of working on the frontline with Stu King for many years, and so I know his commitment to improving officer wellbeing comes from real frontline experience.

"Recognising and tracking trauma exposure is a significant step forward in supporting policing’s greatest asset, its people. I'd encourage officers and supervisors to have open conversations about this, let's make sure our officers get the support they deserve."

The new tracker seeks to intervene before a psychological breakdown occurs. It functions by scanning the force’s crime recording systems and highlighting “red flag” incidents such as fatal road traffic collisions, child sexual abuse and sudden deaths.

Stu said the tracker now ensured these “invisible” casualties of policing were identified, which he said was particularly vital given the frequency with which officers change roles, In the past, a new sergeant might have been unaware that a veteran officer joining their team had spent the last decade processing homicides. The tracker bridges that gap, allowing a manager to see a collective history of exposure.

Stu said the psychological reality of the job was a jarring “flip” of emotions. He recalled his time as a sergeant in Bristol, where he might attend a tragic, sudden death only to be called to a violent street fight five minutes later. “Those levels of emotions can have a significant impact on people over time if it’s not recognised,” he said.

Ministers to mandate use of tools that record individuals’ cumulative exposure to harrowing incidents

07/05/2026

Avon and Somerset Police Officers Are Nominated For The National Police Bravery Awards

Two Avon and Somerset Police officers are being praised for their extraordinary bravery after they rescued an elderly woman from her smoke filled home during a rapidly escalating house fire in Yate.

On the evening of Saturday 15 November 2025, PCs Jack Civill Williams and Amy Montague were returning from an unrelated call when they spotted smoke rising from a property on Witcombe. Trusting their instincts, they immediately diverted to investigate.

When they arrived, they found 56 Witcombe fully alight, with flames spreading quickly towards neighbouring homes. Their radio transmission was the first alert received by Police Control, triggering the urgent deployment of fire and medical crews.

As neighbours rushed outside, the officers were told that an elderly woman remained inside the adjoining property, No. 57. With thick smoke already pouring into the building and the fire advancing, PCs Civill Williams and Montague made the immediate decision to enter the home, fully aware of the personal risk.

Inside, visibility was deteriorating, and the air was becoming increasingly hazardous. The officers located the woman upstairs, lying in bed and extremely frail, with very limited mobility.

Realising that evacuating her would be slow and physically demanding, they remained calm and reassuring, working together to guide her safely down the stairs and out of the property. Once outside, they placed her in the care of neighbours until further assistance arrived.

Their actions almost certainly prevented a fatality. Entering a smoke filled building without hesitation, they demonstrated exceptional courage, professionalism and compassion at a moment when every second counted.

In addition to saving a vulnerable resident, their quick thinking ensured emergency services were notified at the earliest possible moment, helping to prevent further damage as the fire continued to spread.

PCs Civill Williams and Montague went far beyond what could reasonably be expected of them. Their bravery, teamwork and commitment to protecting life exemplify the highest standards of policing.

Chief Constable Sarah Crew said: “PCs Amy Montague, Charles Moore and Jack Civil Williams displayed exceptional bravery in the face of immediate and life threatening danger.

“Acting without hesitation and before other emergency services arrived, they put themselves at serious risk to rescue members of the public trapped by fire.

“Their swift, decisive actions undoubtedly saved lives. This was an outstanding act of courage and professionalism that exemplifies the very highest standards of policing and public service.”

Avon and Somerset Police Federation Chair Tom Gent said: "I am proud to recognise PCs Jack Civil Williams and Amy Montague for their exceptional bravery and decisive actions.

“Demonstrating outstanding courage and selflessness, they entered a property filling with smoke to rescue an elderly resident, placing themselves at significant personal risk. Their quick thinking and professionalism undoubtedly saved a life.

“Their actions reflect the very best of policing and bring great credit to themselves and the service. On behalf of the Federation, it is an honour to nominate them."

05/05/2026

Statement from Avon and Somerset Police Federation following the conviction of a Palestine Action protester of inflicting grievous bodily harm on our colleague Sgt Kate Evans.

Avon and Somerset Police Federation Chair Tom Gent said: "The right to peacefully protest is a cornerstone of our democracy – and police officers across the UK are regularly called upon to facilitate these protests without fear or favour. Here in Avon and Somerset, we have a proud tradition of upholding that right.

"This wasn't protest. This was violent and deliberate thuggery that has had devastating consequences for a courageous and dedicated police officer.

"Our colleague Sgt Kate Evans will have life-lasting effects from this despicable attack on her. Fracturing a brave police officer's spine with a sledgehammer is not protesting a cause; it's pure evil.

"Today’s guilty verdict is a significant step toward justice, but it does not undo the life-altering trauma inflicted upon Kate. No officer should go to work simply to uphold the law and return home with a fractured spine.

"Kate was doing her job of protecting the public and maintaining order, when she was met with brutality that has no place in a civilised society. This conviction sends a definitive message: those who choose to hide behind the guise of 'protest' to commit violence against our colleagues will be held accountable.

"While we welcome the court's decision, our thoughts remain entirely with Kate. This verdict confirms that such actions are inexcusable.

"Avon and Somerset Police Federation will continue to ensure she has the unwavering support she deserves after such a display of immense courage and sacrifice."

Four Palestine Action activists were also found guilty of criminal damage at a UK site of Israel-based defence firm Elbit Systems.

Charlotte Head, 30; Samuel Corner, 23; Leona Kamio, 30; and Fatema Rajwani, 21 broke into an Elbit Systems factory near Bristol in August 2024 before destroying property and clashing with security guards and police.

Corner was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm after striking Sgt Kate Evans with a sledgehammer.

All four have been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing in June.