POLICE FEDERATION BRAVERY AWARDS 2026


prompting the duty sergeant to upgrade the response. PC Bradbrook, PC B, PC Mixter and PC Jones arrived at the address. As they attempted to make contact, a distressed woman ran from the property screaming for help. Moments later, a young child fled to safety as PC Bradbrook pushed open the front door. Inside, he saw a man seize a large knife and hold it to the throat of a young girl, dragging her out of sight. Fully aware of the danger, the four officers entered the house. Hearing the child’s terrified screams behind a locked door, PC Bradbrook forced it open. Inside, the suspect was restraining his daughter with a knife pressed to her neck. PCs Mixter and PC B discharged their Tasers with precision, allowing the girl to escape. When the suspect regained movement, PCs Bradbrook and Jones moved in, disarmed him and restrained him. He was arrested for multiple offences, including attempted murder.


GREATER MANCHESTER


GWENT PCs Danielle Westbrook (née Cole) and Thomas Simmonds rescued a man from a burning house in Tredegar. They were first on scene and were met by a distressed resident who, being deaf, struggled to communicate the urgency of the situation. Through patience and persistence, the officers established that another person was still inside the property. With thick smoke pouring from the doorway, both officers entered the house to search for the trapped occupant. As they reached the top of the stairs, the smoke became overwhelming and forced them to retreat. Firefighters arrived moments later but were also pushed back by the intensity of the smoke. Despite the danger, PC Westbrook went back inside, knowing someone remained in the building and that every second counted. In the darkness, she saw a hand appear on the banister. She pushed further in, grabbed hold of the man on the landing and helped pull him to safety, supported throughout by PC Simmonds. The occupant was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation


and lung scarring. The officers’ willingness to enter the burning building repeatedly and at significant personal risk gave him a vital chance of survival.


HAMPSHIRE


Special Sergeant Phillips (right) and PS Carne (below) confronted and disarmed a knife wielding attacker during a violent incident in Southampton.


PS Carl Beck confronted and subdued a knife-wielding attacker during a violent incident in Wigan town centre on 18 July 2024. The attack began on Market Street when a man walking with a friend was stabbed from behind in what police described as a completely unprovoked assault. As the victim fell to the ground, the attacker demanded his bag and continued the assault, kicking him and inflicting further stab wounds before fleeing. PS Beck, on duty nearby, heard the emergency call and


immediately recognised that few Taser-trained officers were available. He deployed from Wigan Police Station without delay. On arrival, members of the public directed him towards the suspect, who was moving through the busy town centre. Despite conflicting reports that more people may have been stabbed, PS Beck continued the pursuit, prioritising public safety amid the confusion. He located the attacker shortly afterwards. The suspect, still


armed with the knife, refused to comply and attempted to grab the officer’s Taser. He maintained control and, despite the risk to his own safety, successfully deployed the device, bringing the attacker to the ground and ending the threat.


On 3 August 2025, Special Sergeant Phillips was on duty in the Southampton dock area, carrying out work with the Countrywatch Rural Crime Taskforce. Around midday, officers were deployed to Bevois Valley following reports that a man was brandishing a knife and attacking members of the public. Fearing a marauding knife attack, police raced to the scene. Recognising the seriousness of the situation, Special Sergeant Phillips immediately diverted to the area to help protect the public and locate the suspect. On arrival, he quickly identified the attacker walking along the street with a large knife still in his


hand and numerous members of the public nearby. He engaged the suspect and repeatedly instructed him to


stop and drop the weapon. When he refused, Special Sergeant Phillips used PAVA spray, incapacitating him long enough to move in. PS Carne arrived moments later and together the officers took hold of the suspect, disarmed him and placed him in handcuffs.


Their swift and decisive actions prevented the situation from escalating. The suspect had already injured two people and attempted to harm five others.


16 | POLICE | JUNE | 2026


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