Trevor Sherwood has launched a Police Hour readers appeal to support the family of a highly respected Sgt Matt Ratana who was tragically murdered inside of a police station custody centre.

Matt leaves behind his partner and adult son. Our thoughts are with them, his family and close colleagues.

Trevor Sherwood the editor of Police Hour is raising money to support the family of Sgt Matt Ratana who was tragically shot dead inside Croydon custody centre in south London.

He lost his life after being shot when he opened the cell door to speak to the suspect.

Trevor said "Together we have raised £60K to support the family of Matt, The public have truly shown that the public do truly support The Thin Blue Line and pull together to support each other".

"I personally want to thank everyone who has helped me raise over £60K as I only wanted to raise £1.5K to support the family of Matt, I launch these types of appeals as a way of showing my support and helping the family.

"I have raised funding in similar ways in the past because as police officers donate the proceeds from CID tuckshops and do whip arounds to collect money, this is the only way I know that we can support the thin blue line in time of tragedy by using the reach within Police Hour to launch a readers appeal"

"funding raised within this appeal will be shared directly with the family of Matt, We understand the Met Police cannot endorse this page but be assured this will go to the family due to their fundraising page policies"

This is a Police Hour readers appeal enabling our readers to support the family of this officer, we have raised over £40K in this way over a number of years. Which has made a real difference.

Anyone from the MetPolice who would like to verify this crowdfunding appeal please feel free to contact us.