Avon and Somerset Police Federation

12/06/2026

Statement from Avon and Somerset Police Federation following the jailing of Samuel Corner for the attack on Sgt Kate Evans and Elbit Systems UK factory.

Corner was sentenced to more than eight years in prison for both offences.

Statement: "The distressing scenes we have seen during this trial show some of the worst side of police work that our officers are faced with.

“Samuel Corner is a violent criminal - and his actions have had devastating consequences for a courageous and dedicated police officer.

“The sentence given to the perpetrator today is a semblance of justice. Our colleague Sgt Kate Evans will have life-lasting effects from this despicable attack.

“Fracturing a brave police officer's spine with a sledgehammer is not protesting a cause; it's pure evil.

“Police officers across Avon and Somerset work in a difficult, dangerous, and dynamic world where there is no such thing as a routine incident. They deserve support in that work from the public and politicians.

“Around five officers are assaulted every day in Avon and Somerset alone. An Officer assaulted on average every 10 minutes across the UK.

“We have been supporting the officers concerned in the incident since it occurred. And as a Federation we will continue to do so.”

11/06/2026

Absolutely devastating news as Northumbria Police announce the on duty death of PC Jess Turnbull.

She was 19.

Thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues at this time.

Jess joined the Force in September last year and worked on the response policing team in Northumberland.

Jess was injured while responding to a collision which occurred on the A189 Spine Road in Cramlington at about 11.10pm on Monday.

While at the scene, she was outside of a marked police vehicle when she was struck by a black Mercedes CLC which was unconnected to the original incident.

Jess was taken to hospital where yesterday, surrounded by her loved ones, she sadly died.

10/06/2026

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08/06/2026

Frome Neighbourhood PC John Ross-Osborne has been awarded the Royal Humane Society Award for his actions during a life-saving incident

Frome Neighbourhood PC John Ross-Osborne has been awarded the Royal Humane Society Award for his actions during a “life-saving incident” last year.

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