2024 POLICE BRAVERY AWARDS
PC Joshua Shardlow at Leicestershire Police
LANCASHIRE PS Steve Quilliam and Custody Detention Officer (CDO) Lisa Margerison rushed into a flame and smoke-filled detention cell without any protective equipment and with little regard for their own safety, undoubtedly saving the life of the inmate. CDO Margerison joined PS Quilliam in the corridor where the smoke had been identified, quickly establishing which cell was emitting the smoke.
Flames were just about visible reaching all the way to the ceiling. There was no time to get firefighting equipment as PS Quilliam opened the door to the cell and found, due to the density of the smoke, he was unable to see into the cell let alone locate the detainee within. Making the decision to try and fight the fire he began stamping at the base of the flames on what he later learned was a mattress and clothing but at the time feared it could have been the detainee. Together with CDO Margerison soon had to retreat from the
cell to draw air as the dense smoke overwhelmed them. For a second time the officers entered the cell but were again
beaten back by the smoke, they then made a third determined attempt to enter and locate the detainee. Reaching the rear of the cell but unable to communicate, they felt along the bench using touch until they found the detainee curled up in a ball. Together they grabbed him and dragged him from the cell. By now other officers had arrived with appropriate equipment
to begin to tackle the fire. Both PS Quilliam, CDO Margerison and the detainee were suffering from smoke inhalation and were immediately taken for medical treatment while colleagues tackled the fire, getting it under control and extinguished. Fortunately, neither officer suffered serious lasting effects from the smoke or flames and were able to return to duty later that shift. The detainee was taken to hospital to be checked over.
24 | POLICE | JUNE | 2024
LEICESTERSHIRE PC Joshua Shardlow (right) and PC Mo Ahmed chased down a dangerous individual wielding a large weapon and looking to cause harm.
A report was made to police concerning a male in possession of a large knife causing damage to parked cars.
The caller had their vehicle smashed and followed the suspect on foot at a distance until both officers arrived. The caller gave the last direction of travel of the suspect, pointing down a dark unlit alleyway. Without hesitation they
updated the command line and began to make their way down the alley, locating the suspect who then turned to the officers repeatedly shouting, “I am going to kill you”, whilst sprinting with the knife straight at them at speed. Both quickly deployed Taser, effective from PC Shardlow with an ineffective shot from PC Ahmed (above). The suspect fell down, however, as PC Shardlow moved forward to try and handcuff the subject, he got up quicker than anticipated and swung the knife towards the officers, missing by a hair’s breadth. The officers used their captor spray on the subject, but this was not effective. The suspect then rushed at PC Ahmed, and punched him in the face whilst holding the knife, causing a deep slash wound and broken nose. PC Shardlow drew his baton and swung at the suspect,
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
