Courageous Colleagues Win Cleveland Police Federation Bravery Awards

28 March 2025

Two Cleveland Police officers, who were subjected to a sustained and ferocious attack that led to one of them being medically retired, are going to the National Police Bravery Awards 2025 after winning the Cleveland Police Federation Bravery Awards last night.

In the early hours of 26 November 2023, Sgt Steve Bolsover (pictured) and a colleague - who has asked not to be named - were patrolling an area in Hemlington, Middlesbrough, where there had been public unrest.

A vehicle had been upturned and set on fire and tensions were high.

The officers then noticed another fire and the officers went to investigate. The officers were suddenly surrounded by five men being verbally abusive to them and threatening physical harm.

The officers warned the men and told them to leave, as their priority was to fight the fire. But even as they tried to do so, the men continued their threats. One of the officers attempted to arrest one of the men, but he violently resisted, meaning that both officers had to restrain him.

This man started to shout at the other men around him, asking them to help him. One phrase that stuck with the officers was: “There’s more of you than them, get them off me, do them in.” A mob mentality kicked in and all the men set about attacking the officers.

Sgt Bolsover drew his baton and struck one of the males, creating a short amount of space and time but that did not stop them.

The men that were left launched into a ferocious attack on Sgt Bolsover, throwing bricks, bottles and pieces of concrete at him. A man tried to hit Sgt Bolsover on the head with a brick, but the officer managed to step out of the way at the last minute. But then a glass bottle hit Sgt Bolsover on the hand, exploding on impact and severing and exposing the muscles and nerves in his hand. The glass also ricocheted up into his chin, causing lacerations and heavy bleeding. Meanwhile his colleague was surrounded by eight men, all trying to attack him and free the arrested man.

The attack on Sgt Bolsover continued; by this point he was severely injured, but it was the first opportunity he had to ask for help, so he pressed the emergency button, sending a request for urgent assistance. He then did the only thing he could to defend himself, pushing forward into the men, striking with his baton.

When they heard sirens, Sgt Bolsover’s assailants fled the scene. Police colleagues arrived shortly afterwards and found that the officer’s police vehicle had been smashed up. One of the officers thought Sgt Bolsover’s throat had been cut due to the amount of blood. But together they managed to get the situation under control.

Sgt Bolsolver was taken to hospital and underwent surgery on his hand. His serious injuries will stay with him for life and will never have full movement in his hand again. Following the incident, he was medically retired as he was no longer able to carry out his role.

There were multiple arrests at the incident and five men were subsequently charged and pleaded guilty to the assault on the first officer, violent disorder, and wounding with intent on Sgt Bolsover. They were collectively sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison.

Paul Crowley, Cleveland Police Federation Chair, said: “The ferocity of this attack is unbelievable. Police officers do not come to work to be assaulted. Both officers showed immense courage and demonstrated the true values of policing, trying their best to serve their community.

“Despite being severely injured, the officers faced danger and risk was head-on. This is why policing is a job like no other – and our officers are the best of the best. I am proud to call these officers my colleagues and they are very worthy winners of our Awards.”

The officers will now be the Cleveland Police representatives at the National Police Bravery Awards in London in July.