TRIBUTE UPDATE – SOUTH WALES POLICE OFFICER WHO LOST HIS LIFE IN THE LINE OF DUTY, GIVEN UTMOST RESPECT

TRIBUTE UPDATE

A police officer who died while on duty has been commemorated with a memorial garden at Maesteg Police Station.

Officers and PCSOs with the help of members of the community have transformed the garden at Maesteg Police Station in memory of PC Garry Wozencroft.

PC Wozencroft, from Neath, died aged 35 in 2000, after his police patrol car crashed while pursuing a suspect vehicle.

The father-of-two joined the Metropolitan Police in 1988 after serving as a special constable in his home town of Neath.

While working for the Metropolitan Police, PC Wozencroft received an official commendation after discovering an IRA bomb in central London. He quickly evacuated the area and called for support to prevent a potential tragedy.

PC Wozencroft was also commended for his professionalism while on duty during the funeral of the Princess of Wales in 1997.

He and his family moved back to Wales when he joined South Wales Police in 1999.

A plaque has been placed in the garden in memory of the Maesteg neighbourhood officer.

The project to restore the garden was carried out with the help of the community including members from B-Leaf, a horticulture project based in Bryngarw Country Park for adults with disabilities, who helped plant the flowers and donated a memorial tree.

Members of Men’s Shed from Bridgend assisted in revamping the memorial bench and Kevin Priddy from Maesteg Shoe Repairs created the plaque for PC Wozencroft.

PCSO Julie Banks said:

“It is so wonderful that members of the community dedicated their time and provided plants and paint to transform the space into a beautiful garden.

“We wanted to pay tribute to PC Wozencroft who sadly lost his life while on duty. He was a dedicated officer serving the community of Maesteg and it is only right that we honour him with this memorial garden.”

She added:

“This garden will provide a quite space for officers to have a relaxing break during the busy workday. Thank you to all of those who helped redevelop it.”