POLICE FEDERATION BRAVERY AWARDS 2026
engulfed, with reports that children were trapped upstairs. With fire crews still en route, the officers attempted rescue themselves. PC Bowman climbed a ladder
toward an upstairs window using only a wet towel for
protection but was forced back when the window exploded from the heat. Meanwhile, PS Barr (left) and PCs Desborough (above), Hawke (below) and King entered the house through the front door, battling collapsing ceilings,
intense flames and near-zero visibility before being driven out by the extreme conditions. All five officers were taken to
hospital for smoke inhalation, and one continues to receive treatment for PTSD. Despite their efforts, three people, including a child, tragically died. The officers’ actions showed remarkable courage in the face of overwhelming danger.
NORTH WALES PC Andrew Collis confronted a highly volatile and violent suspect alone. He responded to reports of
a man throwing bricks in the street. When he arrived, the man ran to a nearby property. Concerned for public safety, PC Collis followed and found disturbing signs, including a dead dog outside the back door. Inside the dark, boardedup house, the suspect began throwing heavy objects at him while shouting incoherently.
As the situation escalated, PC Collis deployed CS spray, but the man fled to the hallway. When PC Collis tried to stop him from escaping, the suspect suddenly stabbed him in the abdomen with a serrated steak knife. Despite realising he had been stabbed, he kept hold of the man as he attempted to strike again. A violent struggle followed, during which the knife fell to the floor and he managed to handcuff the suspect while remaining on his feet.
He continued giving calm updates to the control room until additional officers arrived. PC Collis was taken to hospital for treatment and returned to duty the same night. His actions showed exceptional courage, composure and determination in the face of a sudden and lifethreatening attack.
PC William Hunter confronted a violent and armed offender during a routine stop. He stopped a car at a petrol station after identifying it as uninsured. When he prevented the driver from getting back into the vehicle, the man launched a violent assault, biting PC Hunter and tearing off his radio and body-worn camera. PAVA spray was ineffective, yet PC Hunter continued blocking access to the car.
The offender then retrieved a machete from the back seat
and attacked him. Despite the extreme danger, PC Hunter used his arms to shield himself and deployed his Taser, which also had little effect. Exhausted and injured, he continued trying to detain the man until he was overpowered. The offender fled, ramming the police car as he escaped, and was arrested shortly afterwards. He later pleaded guilty to wounding with intent. PC Hunter returned to duty despite his injuries.
NORTHUMBRIA
NORTH YORKSHIRE PCs Mike Halstead, Alex McGee and Anthony Grant-Marston put themselves in serious danger to try to save a driver trapped on a live railway line in Harrogate. In July 2025, a car left the road on York Place and overturned on the tracks at the bottom of a steep, overgrown embankment. PC Mike Halstead was first on scene
21 | POLICE | JUNE | 2026
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