OFFICERS from Wiltshire Police will be taking part in a cycle-ride of remembrance over the weekend.

Staff and officers from will join hundreds of other police force members from across the country to pay tribute to every officer who has died on duty since the British Police Force started.

Over three days, 16 riders and three support crew from Wiltshire will take part in the 180-mile UK Police Unity Tour.

The riders set off from Wiltshire Police headquarters in Devizes this morning.

Heather and Andy Cooper, parents of PC Dan Cooper,a 22-year-old Wiltshire officer who died in a fatal crash while on duty in 2010, will also be riding a part of the Wiltshire team.

The riders’ first stop will be just outside Hungerford to lay flowers remembering two officers who died back in the 1800s. From there they will cycle to Milton Keynes to complete the first leg and join members from the London chapter.

On Saturday, teams will head to Drayton Manor, near Tamworth, to meet surviving families and on Sunday the tour culminates at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire, with a memorial service for those who have died and their families.

Each cyclist will also be raising money for police charity Care of Police Survivors (COPS) which helps families of officers who die on duty.

Wiltshire’s Chief Constable Mike Veale, who is riding again this year, said: “The death of a serving officer reminds us all of the risks and sacrifices made whilst serving in the police, and this tour is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness and funds to support families of police officers who have lost their lives on duty.

“This is my third ride and each time I have found the whole experience physically and emotionally draining, and it never gets any easier – nor should it – as what we do as officers and staff is more important, more dangerous and harder than ever.

“Since the Police Unity Tour started in Britain in 2013 the support for this event has grown - now it has over a hundred riders and support crew from across the country taking part, raising tens of thousands of pounds for officers’ families.”