Surrey’s Local Resilience Forum (LRF) has officially adopted the Hillsborough Charter for bereaved families, reaffirming its commitment to supporting those who suffer unimaginable loss. The adoption took place during the Surrey LRF Executive Group meeting on 3 October.
It is believed that Surrey is the first LRF to have adopted the charter.
The Hillsborough Charter was developed in response to the experiences of the families affected by the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 97 football fans lost their lives due to overcrowding at a stadium in Sheffield.
The charter – which was adopted by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service in 2023 and also formally adopted by Surrey County Council in July 2024 – has been established to ensure that bereaved families are treated with respect, compassion, and dignity following a public tragedy. By adopting the Charter, Surrey LRF is leading the way in embedding these principles into local emergency response frameworks, ensuring that families in Surrey can expect the highest standards of care and consideration should they face a tragic loss.
Dan Quin, Chief Fire Officer of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and Chair of the Surrey LRF, said: “Our thoughts are with the families of the Hillsborough tragedy; their courage and determination have brought about this important charter. We will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure that these principles are at the heart of how we respond to emergencies in Surrey. Our priority is to ensure that anyone facing a tragedy is treated with the dignity and support they deserve.”
Chris Moon, Surrey LRF Manager, added: “This is a significant step for Surrey’s Local Resilience Forum. Our adoption of the Hillsborough Charter demonstrates our commitment to supporting bereaved families with care, compassion, and respect. We want to ensure that every resident can have confidence that we will do everything in our power to support them, not just during emergencies, but in the painful aftermath.”
The signing of the charter comes as the UK Government has committed to the ‘Hillsborough Law’. The Hillsborough Law will introduce a legal duty of candour on public bodies, ensuring transparency and honesty with families following public tragedies. It will be introduced in Parliament before the next anniversary of the 1989 football stadium tragedy.
Notes to editors
Surrey’s Local Resilience Forum (LRF) is a multi-agency partnership made up of representatives from local public services, including the Emergency Services, Local Authorities, NHS England and the Environment Agency, which are all Category One Responders under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. The LRF is also supported by Category Two Responders, such as National Highways and utility companies.
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