2025 POLICE BRAVERY AWARDS
He was walking along the High Street on 30 May 2024, when he noticed Poundland staff chasing Michael Delaney, who had just stolen items from the store.
PS Thobhani, who was a PC at the time of the incident, identified himself as a police officer and instructed Delaney to stop. When Delaney refused, a foot chase ensued. As PS Thobhani closed the distance, Delaney produced a large
kitchen knife and threatened to stab the officer, shouting that he refused to go back to prison. Despite the threats and not wearing PPE, PS Thobhani continued to engage with Delaney while managing to dial 999 to report the incident. Delaney walked towards Arnold town centre, increasing the risk
to the public. Recognising the danger, PS Thobhani sprang into action to apprehend Delaney before on-duty officers could arrive. Witnesses described Delaney’s attempts to stab PS Thobhani, shouting, “let me go or I’ll stab you”, with the blade tip only centimetres from the officer’s face. Undeterred, PS Thobhani skilfully disarmed Delaney and took
him to the ground. Members of the public assisted in detaining Delaney until on-duty officers arrived. The knife was recovered, and Delaney was found to be wanted for multiple offenses.
SOUTH WALES PS Holly Price and PC Jordan Rockey saved a vulnerable man who had set himself alight, one suffering burns themselves in the process.
On 12 April 2023, South
Wales Police were called to a male who had significant mental health concerns, threatening to douse himself in petrol and set it alight. PS Price attended with PC Rockey where the man was sat in
the dark in his garden, waving a lighter around. Both officers could smell the strong fumes of the fuel. PS Price made attempts to engage with the man but suddenly he flicked the lighter and he was engulfed in flames. PS Price ran towards the man and, without thought for her own safety, pushed him off the chair and rolled him on the ground to put out the flames. In doing so, her waterproof nylon jacket sleeves began to melt, and she suffered smoke inhalation and burns to her hands and lips. PC Rockey ran to get a fire extinguisher from the police vehicle and called for help from the fire crew who were on standby around the corner. The fire service put out the flames and conveyed the man to hospital, where he was in a coma for months and the burns to his legs were treated.
SOUTH YORKSHIRE PC Jess Witton displayed remarkable courage and leadership in responding to a violent domestic incident that would test her skill, composure, and dedication to duty. When PC Witton and a group of student officers arrived at the scene, they were met with silence. Reports had indicated that a woman had been stabbed, and the perpetrator was still present inside the property.
28 | POLICE | JUNE | 2025
With no response to their calls and an inaccessible front entrance, PC Witton took decisive action. Without hesitation, she ran to the back of the house and scaled a tall fence - one that most would struggle to climb even with assistance. Alone, without backup or firearms support, PC Witton entered the property, fully aware of the imminent danger she faced. Upon gaining entry, PC Witton was confronted with a horrific sight: the victim lay on the patio floor, bleeding profusely and unresponsive. The perpetrator, barely able to speak, was lying on top of her, having inflicted a severe stab wound upon himself. Despite the distressing nature of the scene, PC Witton immediately took control. She swiftly unlocked the front door, allowing the student officers inside before rushing back to assist the victim. Tragically, despite her best efforts, the woman could not be saved. Undeterred, PC Witton turned her focus to the perpetrator. She provided critical, lifesaving first aid, ensuring he survived to face justice. Simultaneously, she directed her colleagues to secure the crime scene, safeguard evidence, and recover the large kitchen knife used in the attack.
STAFFORDSHIRE PC Mark Sigley and DC Katy Sigley have been hailed as heroes after rescuing a married couple trapped inside their burning home in Stafford.
They saw thick smoke billowing from a nearby house. Without hesitation, Mark stopped the car, while Katy called 999 to alert the Fire Service.
The couple rushed towards the semi-detached home, where smoke was pouring from the garage, which soon erupted into flames. As they banged on the front door, the fire rapidly intensified. Both officers forced their way in and entered the smoke-filled hallway, shouting for any occupants. A female emerged from a room, confused and unaware of the growing inferno. When she opened the kitchen door, thick black smoke surged into the hallway, engulfing everyone inside. Mark quickly directed her out of the house while Katy took
hold of her and led her to safety. However, as they exited, the female desperately called out for her husband, who was still upstairs. Determined to save her husband, Mark ran up the staircase, but the dense smoke overwhelmed him, forcing him back down before he could reach the trapped man. By now, Katy had safely escorted the female outside while Mark urgently sought more information about the male’s location.
Realising he was still trapped in a rear bedroom, Mark and Katy
acted swiftly. As Mark worked to evacuate the neighbouring homes due to the growing fire and exploding gas canisters, Katy made her way into the adjacent property. From there, she was able to see the male at an upstairs window, calling for help. Mark rushed to the back of the burning house, staying with the male to provide reassurance while waiting for the Fire Service’s
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