Campaigners took their fight for a medal for injured emergency service personnel to the policing minister's office yesterday (Tuesday). The Daily Express crusade Honour Our Injured 999 Heroes is backing the push led by former police inspector Tom Curry.

He is supported by a host of ex-officers, as well as former fire and ambulance crews, seeking recognition for the wounds they suffered putting their lives on the line to protect the public. Cross-party support is swelling for a move for injured emergency service personnel to get a medal, just like colleagues do posthumously if they are killed in the line of duty.

Multiple ex-999 workers have told the Daily Express that when severely injured in action, they were often pushed into light duties and eventually asked to leave their profession. Former Essex Police officer Sue Mitchell, 62, suffered horrific spinal injuries as a 22-year-old PC when she was run over by a robbers' getaway vehicle on the fifth day in the job.

She said: "They told me I was out of the force on Christmas Eve. I was put in front of the assistant chief constable and his words to me were, 'Why should I keep you in my force when I can have somebody 100% fit?' That really hurt."

An estimated 13,000 men and women have been forced to retire through injury from the police. MPs voted through the motion for the Injury in Service Award in November. But this is the first time campaigners have met Minister for Policing and Crime, Sarah Jones.

She has confirmed her support for the campaign and agreed to take it forward through official channels. It is understood the minister will write to MPs confirming the Government's commitment to reconvene in six months to review its progress.

Mr Curry, 75, founder of the 999 Injured and Forgotten campaign, said: "It was very encouraging.

"She was patient and listened, and she is fully on board. She has seen the Daily Express coverage and I showed her the three front pages."

Parliament itself cannot create the award, so it is now up to the Cabinet Office and the Honours and Appointments Secretariat to put the proposal before the King.

Liberal Democrat Tom Morrison MP said: "I was proud to join this cross-party meeting and bring Tom Curry's powerful campaign directly to the Minister. After raising this issue in Parliament last year, it's encouraging to see genuine ministerial support and a commitment to action.

"Tom Curry and others like him deserve recognition for their sacrifice. They went into danger to protect us and suffered life-changing injuries as a result. This campaign has support across the political divide because it's simply the right thing to do.

"I'm pleased we've secured ministerial backing and a clear pathway forward through the honours system. We'll continue working together across party lines to ensure injured officers and emergency service workers get the recognition they deserve."

Matt Vickers MP, Shadow Minister for Crime and Policing, said: "Being injured in service does not end when someone leaves the forces. For many, it defines the life that follows. A medal cannot undo the injury, but it can send a clear message that the country understands the cost of service does not stop at discharge.

"Our honours system rightly recognises courage and sacrifice, yet too often those injured in uniform are left without formal recognition. That is a gap that needs to be closed. This campaign is about ensuring our values are reflected in how we recognise service, and that those who have paid a lasting price are not overlooked."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "It is only right that those who are injured in the line of duty are recognised in the appropriate manner.

"Work is ongoing to consider the most effective and meaningful way to do this."