Message to all Durham NARPO members, re PC's Blades & Clough

 Message to all Durham NARPO members, 

Please note that your Branch has donated £2000 to the GoFundMe platform, in support of the families of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, the two Cleveland Police Officers killed in a RTC on the A66 in Cleveland on Saturday 22nd August 2026.

The fund which has been setup by Cleveland Police Federation and is to be divided amongst the two officers families has now exceed one million pounds.

Our thoughts are with the families ,friends and colleagues of the two officers.

Donations are still being received by the fund which is available on this link

Death of Retired Police Officer: Sergeant 555 Thomas (Tommy) Robert Ball

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Officer, Sergeant 555 Thomas (Tommy) Robert Ball, who died in Truro Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, (after taking ill whilst on holiday) on Friday 7th August 2026, aged 81 years.

Tommy was appointed with Durham County Constabulary on 31stJuly 1972, his initial posting being Newton Aycliffe.  He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1981 and later qualified to the rank of Inspector, being interviewed for Bramshill Police College, due to his National Score standing.

His subsequent postings as a Sergeant were at Staindrop, Barnard Castle, Shildon and Newton Aycliffe, with significant periods as Acting Inspector.  He retired from his post as Custody Sergeant at Newton Aycliffe on 12th July 2002.

During his service, Tommy received several commendations from successive Chief Constables and from H M Courts, notably for the attempted rescue of a drowning child and the disarming of a gunman, discharging a pistol in a public place.

He is survived by his wife Mary, children Julie, Stephen, Catherine, Helen and Marie, four sons-in-law and eighteen grandchildren.

A requiem funeral service is to be held at 10.30am Wednesday 9th September 2026 at St. Mary’s RC Church, Birch Road, Barnard Castle DL12 8NR, followed by a private local burial.

Family flowers only, donations in so desired to Aid to the Church in Need and St. Mary’s RC Church.

After the funeral, friends are invited to join the family at St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Newgate, Barnard Castle DL12 8NQ

Our thoughts are with Tommy’s family and friends at this sad time.

Durham NARPO express their sincere condolences

The entire membership of Durham NARPO express their sincere condolences to the families, colleagues and friends of Cleveland Police Officers, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, who were tragically killed this morning in a RTC on the A66. 

Their hurt is felt by all of our wider Police family.

Raymond T Jones (Chairman)

A Go Fund Me page has been set up by Cleveland Police Federation.

They are asking for help to support the families of the two colleagues, to assist them in any way as they try to navigate this traumatic time.

Any funds raised will be split equally between their two families to be used as they so wish.

Please note this is the only official fundraising platform from Cleveland Police Federation

Petition to stop the early release from jail of PC Andrew Harper's killers

Aileen O'Connor, chair of Thames Valley Police Federation, launched the petition after the Ministry of Justice confirmed Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers are eligible for early release this October.

PC Harper's widow, Lissie Harper, has added her voice, saying she felt "punched in the gut" by the decision.
She added: "Hopefully we can make the current government come to their senses and realise we cannot put people like this back on our streets. Justice should mean justice and serving the sentence given."
Petition: https://www.change.org/p/petition-to-stop-the-early-release-from-jail-of-pc-andrew-harper-s-killers?utm_source=organic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=owned&utm_term=image-08042026&utm_content=GB&share_id=LWzsC7yn

Death of Retired Police Officer: Chief Inspector 409 John (Jack) Wharrier

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Officer, Chief Inspector 409 John (Jack) Wharrier, who died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Monday 20th July 2026, aged 85 years.

Jack joined Durham Police Cadets in 1958 and worked at Sedgefield Office.  He was appointed as a Police Constable, with Durham County Constabulary, on 21st March 1960, and posted to Stockton-on-Tees for 4 years, prior to postings at Wingate and Peterlee.

He was promoted to Sergeant on 1st February 1973 and seconded to the District Police Training Centre at Newby Wiske.

Promotion to Inspector followed on 30th June 1980, and to Chief Inspector on 9th February 1987.

His remaining police service was mainly spent at Peterlee and Force Training, before becoming Sub Divisional Commander at Seaham Harbour.

Jack is survived by sons John and Graham, both of whom are retired police officers, and 4 granddaughters.  He is predeceased by his wife, Ann, who died in 2022.

A funeral service is to be held at 2.45pm Thursday 6th August 2026, at Carleton Crematorium, Stocks Lane, Poulton Le Fylde FY6 7QS

Our thoughts are with Jack’s family and friends at this sad time.