Stabbed Met officers win top police bravery award

Two Metropolitan Police officers stabbed by a member of the public have been named as the overall winners at the Police Bravery Awards.

PC Joseph Gerrard and PC Alannah Mulhall both needed surgery after they were injured when responding to a call at Leicester Square.

The first Special Constable to be individually nominated, Kyle Scott from Suffolk Police, jumped into the North Sea to save a woman.

A pair of officers from the Thames Valley force who helped a terminally ill colleague complete the Three Peaks Challenge were the recipients of this year’s Inspiration in Policing Award.

PCs Alannah Mulhall and Joseph Gerrard were responding to a call at Leicester Square where a man had been arrested for spiking and a victim was being cared for.

PC Mulhall along with her colleague heard a commotion on the street and went to investigate.

At this point they were confronted by a man armed with a knife who stabbed PC Mulhall through her arm – the wound was so deep it almost went through the other side.

Despite the serious injury, she remained calm and was able to call for backup.

On their arrival, the man was still armed and multiple attempts to detain him failed as Taser, PAVA spray and baton strikes could not subdue him.

She and her colleagues including PC Gerrard, stood their ground and ensured the crowd stayed safely away from the attacker who then lunged at and stabbed PC Gerrard five times.

He was left with wounds to his neck and arm, and his lung was also punctured.

Regional winners:

• Greater Manchester: PS Marc Foster, PS Tim Ansell and PC Marcus Wolstencroft
• Cleveland: PC Holly Grey, PC Sam Handley, PC Maverick Reddington, PC Rachael Dack, PC Cara Crosby and two officers who wish to remain anonymous
• West Mercia: PS Lee Baker, PS Shannon Murphy and PC Thomas Simmonds
• Lincolnshire: Officer wishes to remain anonymous
• Hampshire: PS David Gibbs, PC Scott Thomson, PC Tim Clarkson, PC Emma Davies and PC Nathan Fulton
• Devon and Cornwall: PC Zach Printer and another officer who wishes to remain anonymous
• North Wales: PS Dylan Thomas, PC Rachael Roberts, PC Robert Burgess, PC Dion Hughes and PC Robert Williamson

SC Kyle Scott, part of the Suffolk Police Roads Policing Unit, was on patrol in Ipswich when the call came in of a high-risk missing person in trouble in the sea.

The temperatures were dipping down to -2C and the sea was rough.

SC Scott jumped in, swam out to the woman who was unresponsive, and carried her to safety.

He and a passer-by kept her warm until paramedics arrived.

PS Shannon Murphy, PS Lee Baker and PC Thomas Simmonds rescued a woman from her Mini in Worcestershire after it ended up in a flooded ford.

The officers broke open the driver’s side window and pulled her to safety, just moments before the vehicle sank.

In August 2023, Hampshire PCs Emma Davies and Tim Clarkson went to detain a wanted man.

After he would not let them in, they called for backup.

PS David Gibbs, PC Nathan Fulton and PC Scott Thomson used a battering ram and gained entry into the hallway, where the suspect held a battery pack and detonator, with wires leading to two bags across his body.

He detonated his device and through smoke and sparks, the officers Tasered and restrained the man.

Acting chairwoman of the Policing Federation for England and Wales, Tiff Lynch said: “Policing is always under the spotlight, and today the dedication and commitment to duty is highlighted. Every officer nominated is a winner; every story recounting their heroism; outstanding acts of bravery recognised.

“Their actions of going above and beyond the call of duty are truly inspiring.

“To the families who support our police officers, we thank you; and to all of our nominees, we are proud to celebrate and pay tribute to your exceptional bravery.”