30TH POLICE BRAVERY AWARDS
REGIONAL WINNER 2
Cleveland Police
PS Steven Bolsover and PC Joe Shuttleworth with Brian Booth, PFEW Deputy National Chair PS Steven Bolsover and PC Joe Shuttleworth
In the early hours of 26 November 2023, PS Steven Bolsover and PC Joe Shuttleworth responded to a fire during public unrest in an area already tense from earlier disturbances, including a vehicle being overturned and set alight. While investigating the fire, PC Shuttleworth moved ahead and briefly lost contact with PS Bolsover. As the sergeant turned a corner, he found PC Shuttleworth surrounded by five aggressive males. Despite warnings, the group continued to threaten violence. As the officers attempted to manage the fire, the crowd’s hostility escalated. When an arrest was made, the suspect
resisted and incited others, shouting: “There’s more of you than them, get them off me, do them in.” The mob launched a frenzied attack.
“As PS Bolsover turned a corner, he found PC Shuttleworth
surrounded by five aggressive males. Despite warnings, the group continued to threaten violence.”
PS Bolsover used his baton to create space, allowing PC Shuttleworth to restrain the suspect while fending off further assaults. The crowd then turned on PS Bolsover, throwing bricks, bottles, and concrete. A house brick narrowly
missed his head, and a glass bottle struck his hand, causing severe injuries and deep lacerations to his chin. Despite his injuries, PS Bolsover activated his emergency alarm and continued defending himself until backup arrived. PC Shuttleworth, surrounded by at least eight individuals, held onto the suspect and defended himself with extraordinary resilience. The officers’ vehicle was severely damaged, and PS Bolsover was rushed to hospital. One arriving officer feared his throat had been cut due to the amount of blood. Tragically, PS Bolsover’s injuries were life-
altering. He lost full movement in his hand and was forced into medical retirement, ending a dedicated policing career.
19 | POLICE | AUGUST | 2025
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