Charity founder Gary Craig awarded an MBE
2 July 2025

In December 2024, the trustees of Thin Blue Line UK were ecstatic to learn that its founder, Dr. Gary Craig had been awarded an MBE for his Public and Charitable Services in the 2025 New Years Honours by his Majesty King Charles III.


Gary established the charity in 2012 and since then has worked tirelessly to lead Thin Blue Line UK to the success it is today, it is only right that he was recognised for this hard work and dedication to his role. Gary travelled down to London with his family to receive his MBE on Friday 27th June 2025 from HRH the Princess of Wales at Buckingham Palace.


After receiving his award Gary explained how he felt...

"I am so delighted to finally be able to talk about this, to say that this came as an absolute shock is an understatement. I cannot express in words how humbled I am that this has happened, and I want to take this opportunity to say a few thanks.


The charity would simply not exist without the dedication and passion of all the trustees, Andrea, Beverley, Lisa, Jack and Tony thank you for your belief and for what you bring to the team. To my wife Linda and family who must put up with the madness that comes with being married to me - I am forever grateful. To my colleagues and Senior Management Team within PSNI thank you for your support and for belief in what we are trying to do.


The charity means so much to me and I truly hope that this honour helps open doors, enables conversations to take place and ultimately raises the profile of the Thin Blue Line UK, which I hope with all my heart means that we can help more officers. Policing is an incredibly difficult role and there is so much pressure on officers who simply want to do their best and help others. They see things that will stay with them forever and this can have a massive impact on their personal happiness and mental health. We want to give officers the confidence to reach out, ask for help and get it when they need it. We hope that as we move through 2025, we will be able to offer more to those who need it and continue to look out for those who are brave enough to wear the uniform".


From us all here at Thin Blue Line UK congratulations Gary! We are so happy you have been recognised for your hard work and dedication to the thin blue line and know you had an amazing time receiving your award, well done!


by Jack Woodward 9 January 2026
On Friday 9th January 2026, Thin Blue Line UK proudly attended the National Safer Town Conference, held at the iconic Royal Liver Building in Liverpool, following an invitation from Merseyside Police. This prestigious event brought together senior policing leaders from across the country, alongside representatives from the Home Office, HMICFRS and Police and Crime Commissioners, to discuss strategies aimed at improving the safety and resilience of town centres nationwide. The conference hosted by the incredible Lucy Meacock, formerly of Granda News; served as a vital forum for exploring how policing can adapt to meet the challenges of modern town centre environments, with discussions focused on operational strategies to reduce crime, enhance public confidence, and create safer spaces for communities. However, Thin Blue Line UK used this opportunity to champion an equally critical issue: the mental health and wellbeing of police officers. Police officers face unique pressures in their roles, often working in high-stress environments and dealing with traumatic incidents. These challenges can take a significant toll on their mental health, and without adequate support, the impact can be long-lasting. During the conference, Thin Blue Line UK engaged with senior leaders to highlight the importance of prioritising officer wellbeing alongside operational effectiveness. The charity emphasised that supporting officers is not only vital for their personal health but also for maintaining a strong, resilient policing workforce capable of delivering the best service to the public. As part of its presence at the event, Thin Blue Line UK featured in a full-page spread within the official conference brochure, showcasing the range of services and assistance available to officers. From confidential support to practical resources, the charity’s work is designed to ensure that those who protect our communities have access to the help they need. Attendees also left with one of the charity’s popular branded pens, which proved to be a hit and will serve as a lasting reminder of the invaluable support Thin Blue Line UK offers. Speaking after the event, Jack Woodward a Trustee of Thin Blue Line UK charity expressed its gratitude to Merseyside Police for the opportunity to participate in such an influential forum: " We are committed to supporting officers across the UK, and this conference allowed us to share our message with key decision-makers. By working together, we can ensure safer communities and healthier, supported officers. We are incredibly grateful to Merseyside Police for allowing us to be part of such important conversations ". The charity believes that events like the Safer Town Conference are essential for fostering collaboration between policing bodies, government agencies, and support organisations. By combining efforts, the policing family can not only improve public safety but also create a culture where officer wellbeing is seen as a priority too, enabling a sustainable policing response. Thin Blue Line UK looks forward to continuing its collaboration with policing partners and stakeholders to promote both community safety and officer mental health. The charity remains dedicated to ensuring that every officer knows they are not alone and that help is always available.
Officers at New Year
by The Trustees of the Thin Blue Line UK 31 December 2025
Thin Blue Line UK sends warm New Year wishes to its followers & supporters worldwide, particularly the UK policing family. Wishing you health and happiness in 2026!