Fury as Met Police bosses BAN badge honouring brave cops killed in line of duty

MET Police chiefs have banned a badge honouring cops killed in the line of duty.

Officers are furious at the bar on wearing the Thin Blue Line charity badge — with a black and white Union Jack.

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley’s edict was issued on September 18 — the 12th anniversary of the murder of PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone by gunman Dale Cregan in Tameside, Greater Manchester.

Meanwhile a memorial is to be unveiled today to Met Sgt Matt Ratana, shot dead in a London custody centre four years ago.

One angry source said: “The timing of this could not be worse. It’s an insult to fallen officers.”

Rick Prior, chairman of the Met Police Federation branch, said: “Officers will be extremely saddened and angry to hear this news.

“The families of officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep the public safe will be equally dismayed. I urge the Commissioner to urgently reconsider this decision.”

Lilian Armitage, 77, whose police officer daughter Alison, 29, died when she was run down by a car thief in 2001, said: “If they’re wearing it in memory of their colleagues who’ve died then it’s a good thing. They shouldn’t be stopping it.”

The flag badge, with a blue line through the middle, is sold by ­charity Care of Police Survivors, which raises cash for the families of officers killed on duty.

The Met confirmed it had updated its uniform policy “after a lot of engagement internally with both formal and informal groups”.

It added: “Officers, whilst on duty, may not wear any badges, lanyards or patches which advertise causes, beliefs or charities.

“We have made two exceptions for the red Haig Poppy and the Police Memorial badge during their respective periods.”