Fed members honoured at 2024 national Police Bravery Awards

12 July 2024

A group of Derbyshire Police Federation members were among those recognised at this year's national Police Bravery Awards yesterday (Thursday 11 July).

The team were nominated for the Region 4 Bravery Award for their admirable response to a serious crowd disorder at Aston Villa’s Europa Conference League match at home to Legia Warsaw last November.

Led by Inspector Nick Booth, the unit consisted of PCs Ryan McGrath, Christopher Harrold, Tammy Careless, Adam Podam, Rebecca Callan, Matthew Copestake and Oliver Bates. The officers displayed exceptional bravery in the face of hostility, including missile throwing, from Legia supporters as they approached Villa Park before kick-off.

Derbyshire Police Federation's nominees at Downing Street.

Derbyshire Police Federation secretary Kirsty Bunn and workplace representative Tenielle Hardwick attended the ceremony alongside the nominees.

Reflecting on the awards, Kirsty said: “It was a real honour to be at the event, representing our Federation. I am so proud of our nominees, and I'm pleased they were able to enjoy the whole day with a sense of reward and recognition.

“The Bravery Awards are one of, if not the most important date in the Federation's calendar. Officers deserve to be acknowledged, not only for nominated incidents but for their dedication all year round.”

Dedication

The Region 4 category was won by an officer from Lincolnshire who attempted to save a nine-year-old girl’s life after she had been stabbed.

This did not dampen the spirits of team Derbyshire, however, who still enjoyed a day of celebration for the courage and commitment of police staff far and wide. Proceedings kicked off with an exclusive Downing Street reception by the newly elected Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper.

In what was the first official event hosted by the new UK Government after last week’s General Election, the nominees were also joined by new policing minister, Dame Diana Johnson DBE.

The team at the Police Bravery Awards ceremony in London.

The awards ceremony, the 29th of its kind, was held in the evening. Tiff Lynch, acting national chair for the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), introduced the event.

“Tonight, we will hear extraordinary stories of bravery. Officers who will say, ‘it’s just part of the job’, but it’s not just part of the job – it’s going above and beyond the requirements of the job, and tonight we get the chance to recognise and thank those officers,” Tiff said, as she addressed the audience.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who revealed she was attending her 14th Bravery Awards, paid tribute to the dedication of nominated cops in a speech at the ceremony.

Ms Cooper: “The reason I’ve attended so many Police Bravery Awards is because I think it’s so important to respect and recognise the work you do.

“And because the stories are always so inspirational, often so difficult, the incredibly difficult situations you have faced. The extreme violence that you will have had to work towards, the dangerous rescues that so many of you have undertaken.”

Proud

Later in the evening, Dame Diana addressed the audience with a message of her own: “To you and all your colleagues, for what you do to keep the public safe, thank you. I was struck by the impressive people you are.

“A phrase that stuck out for me is ‘forever going into the unknown’.

“Your families must be so proud of you. I am so proud of you. To those here tonight, be proud of what you do. It could not matter more.”

Hosting the event was TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith, with Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington among the guests.

Overall winners on the night were two Metropolitan Police members, PCs Alannah Mulhall and Joe Gerrard, who picked up the title for their heroics in protecting the public in Leicester Square in the capital despite being stabbed multiple times.

The annual event is organised by the PFEW and is sponsored by Police Mutual.