Police Inspector embarks on 1,000-mile cycle ride in memory of friend PC Keith Palmer

A POLICE Inspector is embarking on a 1,000 mile fundraising cycle ride in memory of his friend PC Keith Palmer, who was killed in the Westminster Terror Attack.

Inspector Philip Spaul, of the Met Police’s Roads and Transport Policing Command based at the South Central Command Unit of Southwark and Lambeth, will ride from London’s Parliament Square to Nice in France, to remember his former colleague and also raise funds for Care of Police Survivors (COPS), a charity that supports the families of police officers who lose their lives on duty.

30 year career

Inspector Spaul will be setting off on the challenge on May 31, as he comes towards the end of his 30-year career in the police service.

He said: “This will be a very personal trip for me. PC Keith Palmer was a friend of mine and a great cop – I was on his team at Bromley. It is also my last year in the job, and that has been a big part of my life. Leaving the MPS won’t be easy.

“I’ll be doing the ride on my own, I think it will be a good opportunity for me to reflect on my service and also remember police officers like Keith who won’t get to enjoy their retirement.

“I want to raise money for Care of Police Survivors because they do some great work. I am using my leave and a few rest days and hope to complete the journey within 20 – 25 days.”

Terror attacks

Inspector Spaul will start his journey on May 31 from Parliament Square and will cycle through Borough Market before travelling down to Nice, linking the locations of the three devastating terror attacks.