Memorials to murdered Bradford police officers Sharon Beshenivsky and Michael Hawcroft have been relocated.

Stone tributes to the fallen officers have joined a memorial to Bradford’s last Chief Constable, Harry Ambler, in Norfolk Gardens, Bradford city centre A ceremony to acknowledge the dedication of the three officers takes place this week.

Former Bradford City Police officer Alan Pickles, a member of the Bradford Branch of the National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO), who has organised the joint tribute, said: “Mr Ambler was the last Chief Constable of the Bradford City Police, from 1957 until 1973, and was held in high regard by all those who worked with him. His memorial stone bears the inscription ‘and all the personnel who served with him’, and I think that this represents the kind of man he was.

“About three years ago, NARPO arranged for a new stone to be cut to Mr Ambler, replacing the original stone which had been damaged, and to position the memorials of Bradford’s fallen colleagues alongside it.

“The original memorials to Sergeant Hawcroft and Constable Beshenivsky have therefore been relocated from Centenary Square.

“Last year was the 30th anniversary of Sergeant Hawcroft’s death on duty, after he was murdered whilst attempting to arrest two youths who were stealing a motor car. This rededication event will acknowledge his service and that of Constable Beshenivsky who also lost her life whilst on duty, attending an armed robbery.”

Family members, former colleagues, local dignitaries and the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, Sir Norman Bettison, will be paying their respects.

Sir Norman said: “Harry Ambler was the last in a line of Chief Constables who had a local, and lifetime, responsibility for policing in Bradford. Michael Hawcroft and Sharon Beshenivsky are the precious son and daughter of Bradford who each gave the ultimate sacrifice in keeping Bradfordians safe.

“One of the great strengths of policing in this country, and in West Yorkshire’s towns and cities in particular, is the respect felt by the silent majority and the dedication given by the police officers in return. This special relationship is captured in tributes and memorials that acknowledge the bond.

“I welcome the decision of city leaders to bring these three memorials together in a site which will be seen by those who live and work in Bradford, and those visiting the city, who might remember through these three individuals, the extraordinary job that is done by extraordinary people day in day out.”