30TH POLICE BRAVERY AWARDS


REGIONAL WINNER 5


Sussex Police


PS Matthew Seekings and PS Craig Lees with Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, NPCC Chair PS Matthew Seekings and PS Craig Lees


They observed her head going under


the water multiple times, indicating she was in significant trouble and at risk of


On 25 May 2024, at around 10pm, Sussex Police received a report of a vulnerable missing child in crisis, prompting a large-scale search operation. A drone unit began searching the beach and detected a faint heat signature in the sea, guiding officers to the location.


PS Matthew Seekings and PS Craig Lees used torches to find the teenage girl, who was more than 50 meters out to sea.


22 | POLICE | AUGUST | 2025 “PS Seekings and PS Lees


used torches to find the teenage girl, who was more than 50 meters out to sea.”


drowning. Although the coastguard was called, their estimated time of arrival was too long to prevent potential loss of life. With the girl now 60 meters out to sea in near pitch-black conditions, the


officers realised they could lose sight of her if she went fully under. PS Lees and PS Seekings made the decision to enter the water. They swam out and rescued the young girl, pulling her back to safety. She was treated by paramedics and taken to the hospital. The actions of PS Seekings


and PS Lees were crucial in saving the young girl’s life, demonstrating bravery and selflessness by putting themselves at risk. Without their intervention, the child could have drowned.


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