2025 POLICE BRAVERY AWARDS explosions. Both officers gave first aid to the extremely injured driver,
despite the fire burning out of control close by. PC Callum’s and PC O’Donoghue’s swift actions, professionalism and bravery undoubtedly saved the driver’s life.
NORTHUMBRIA On the evening of 2 August 2024, PS Stu Coates of the Mounted Section was tasked with leading his team during a planned demonstration in Sunderland City Centre. With years of experience in public order events, PS Coates was well-prepared for the operation, having participated in planning discussions with Public Order Commanders the previous day. Upon arrival at Keel Square, the designated muster point, PS Coates immediately sensed a heightened level of tension. A large group of demonstrators, many wearing surgical masks, began confronting officers.
As the demonstration began, PS Coates and PC Ged Sharpe positioned themselves at the front of the protest, with other mounted officers at the rear. The situation escalated quickly when protesters started damaging property and throwing projectiles at police, turning the demonstration into a full-scale riot. During the chaos, PS Coates was struck on the head by a
concrete block, causing significant damage to his NATO helmet. Despite the impact, he continued his duties undeterred. Recognising the threat posed by the rioters moving towards
a heavily populated Asian community and a nearby mosque, PS Coates took decisive action. Under constant attack from bricks and fireworks, he led efforts to protect the area, strategically positioning officers and police vans along Hylton Road to prevent further escalation. The riots continued late into the night, but PS Coates
remained steadfast, demonstrating exceptional leadership and bravery. His efforts ensured the safety of both his colleagues and the local community, preventing further harm.
NORTH WALES
PC James Marsden had part of his ear bitten off while apprehending a domestic violence suspect. Shortly after midnight on December 8, 2024, PC Marsden and a colleague were responding to a report of a domestic assault in Llangefni. When PC Marsden attempted to arrest the male suspect, he resisted.
During the struggle, the offender pinned PC Marsden down and bit a piece of his ear off. Another officer had to use force to pull the offender away from PC Marsden before subduing him and placing him in handcuffs. Unaware of his injury, PC Marsden wanted to assist his colleagues in taking the male to custody. His colleagues then made him aware of the injury. PC Marsden was taken to the hospital, where he was told the cartilage of his ear had suffered such damage that his ear would be permanently disfigured. He was told he would need to take three to four weeks off work.
27 | POLICE | JUNE | 2025
His pregnant partner was distressed by the injury, and PC Marsden felt he had let his colleagues down as they would be without him over the busy Christmas period in a rural setting with a small number of officers working.
The offender appeared before court on January 14, 2025, and was jailed for three years and four months for the incident. PC Marsden will have to live with the permanent scars of this callous assault, caused while serving and protecting the public.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Sergeant Rishi Thobhani demonstrated unwavering commitment to protecting the public when faced with a knife-wielding thief, even though off duty with no protective equipment.
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
