“Outstanding dedication in the most harrowing conditions” – MPA Member praises police tsunami work

06/05
1 February 2005

Aneeta Prem, Metropolitan Police Authority magistrate member, has praised the outstanding work of Metropolitan Police officers and staff, along with those from police services across England, Wales and the Scottish borders, working in SE Asia following her visit to Phuket, Thailand.

Aneeta said:

“I went to Thailand so that I could report back to the MPA the working conditions under which Metropolitan Police personnel are operating and the complexities of the unprecedented operation taking place in SE Asia. Having seen the work at first hand has given me a unique opportunity and understanding of this complex operation.”

‘Operation Bracknell’ was originally led and co-ordinated by the Metropolitan Police but from 17 January took on a national structure. All British personnel are working to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and it is now an international operation for recovery.

Aneeta continued:

“The response to the disaster has been outstanding and I cannot stress enough the harrowing circumstances under which officers and staff are having to work. The very nature of the recovery and identification process itself, together with the long hours and working conditions involved, make this the most arduous and demanding work imaginable.

“Teams are also working hard to return victims’ property to families, especially important for families and loved ones where it is not possible to recover the victim.

“We at the Authority have a duty to ensure all staff are operating in acceptable conditions. This is a unique situation, and we are working to ensure full occupational health facilities are available to staff deployed, both in situ and in the long term, when further issues may become apparent.

“We owe our officers and staff our sincere thanks and the promise of assistance should it be necessary. I would also like to thank the Laguna Resort in Phuket, for their support and accommodation for all the officers working there.”

Aneeta concluded:

“Our heartfelt sympathies go to all those families who have lost loved ones and also to those who are still waiting for news.”

Notes to editors

1. Aneeta Prem is available for interview: please call Jacqui Jones on 020 7202 0217.

2. The Casualty Bureau number for reporting information about missing people is 020 7008 0000.

3. The number for travel advice or general information is 0870 6060290 or via the FCO website: www.fco.gov.uk 

4. The International Committee of the Red Cross has also launched a dedicated website for the people concerned about missing relatives in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia. It can be found at: www.familylinks.icrc.org 

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