RUC George Cross Memorial unveiled

Upper Bann DUP MLA Stephen Moutray, who attended the ceremony, said the entire community owed “a great debt of gratitude” to the security forces.

“Many brave young men and women gave their lives in defence of our freedom and in order to keep us safe,” he said.

“The entire community owes a great debt of gratitude to the brave men and women of our security forces whose dedication and sacrifice stood between the community and those who sought to terrorise them.

“It was an honour for me and for my colleagues to have been present at this very moving event that returned thanks for their bravery.

“This was a very fitting tribute to a police service that had already richly earned the George Cross for its collective and steadfast courage in the face of vicious terrorism.”

He added: “This was a moving reminder of the dangers that police officers still face on a day to day basis, and I would urge everyone from all sides of the community to give their wholehearted support to the PSNI as they seek to tackle to on-going scourge of dissident terrorist organisations.”