WILTSHIRE Police spent thousands on pin badges handed to the police officers and staff who dealt with the fall-out of the Salisbury Novichock attack.

Birmingham-based Firmin & Sons, founded in 1655, made the 3,000 pin badges presented to officers, staff and cadets working with Wiltshire Police in 2018 at the time of the poisonings that claimed the life of Dawn Sturgess.

The cost of the badges came to £4,815, equivalent to the cost of 185 Custodian-style policeman’s helmets or 250 pairs of handcuffs.

Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: “Last year’s incidents in Salisbury and Amesbury placed an unprecedented strain and pressure on Wiltshire Police and every single officer and member of staff stepped up to play their part.

“Not only were people providing direct support through scene guarding, community reassurance or logistics relating to our response, but there were so many others who worked hard to ensure day-to-day policing continued across the force.

“These pin badges were a way for us to recognise this commitment, dedication and professionalism with a small token of our appreciation.”