Lincolnshire Police sign the Armed Forces Covenant

Members of a police force have pledged to support those who are - or have been - members of the Armed Forces, and their families.

The Armed Forces Covenant is an assurance that ex-servicemen and members of the military should be treated with fairness and respect.

The covenant focuses on helping members of the Armed Forces community have the same access to government and commercial services and products as any other citizen.

Lincolnshire has the second largest population of veterans in the UK – with eight per cent of the country's ex-servicemen living in the county.

The signing by chief constable Bill Skelly and police crime commissioner Marc Jones was witnessed by Gp Capt Gavin Hellard, and is the latest in a raft of initiatives by the police force to support veterans.

Marc Jones has also signed up to Project Nova – a scheme which supports veterans who have been arrested or taken into custody.

The project ensures veterans receive the support they need through the legal process and helps with accommodation, employment, drug and alcohol, debt and mental health issues.

Mr Jones said: “Veterans are a hugely important part of our Lincolnshire community and I am delighted by the pledge made today to support them.

“Along with other projects and work done in the county it demonstrates, not just our profound gratitude to those who have served in the forces to protect us all, but also to demonstrate how important they are to our communities.”

Chief constable Skelly said: “By signing up to the Armed Forces covenant we are recognising that those who have served have given a lot, as have their families in many cases.

“I’m proud to put my name as chief constable of Lincolnshire Police to the covenant,” he added.

Rutland schools sign the Armed Forces Covenant.

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