Two police officers who disarmed a man who was trying to kill himself and others recognised with Federation Bravery Award

16 May 2023

Two police officers who disarmed a man who was trying to kill himself and others with an axe have won Essex Police Federation Bravery Awards.

On 25 November 2018, PC Steve Aspinall and PC David Ware were deployed to an incident in Braintree, where it was reported that a man armed with an axe had broken into a multi-occupancy address and was threatening to kill the other occupants.

Local officers had already arrived and had been confronted by the man, who had come to the front door armed with the axe and covered in his own blood. He had forced entry into multiple rooms, smashing the doors with the axe.

PC Aspinall and PC Ware immediately conducted an emergency search to evacuate the occupants, who were at significant risk. They managed to clear the premises, then located the man in a shed at the back of the property, from which they could hear a great deal of smashing and banging. They tried to communicate with the man, conscious that the man was suffering with mental health problems.

The man emerged from the shed, holding the axe in his hand. The officers gave him appropriate time and distance and entered into early negotiations with him, pleading calmly for him to drop the weapon.

The man then raised the axe and ran at both officers.

PC Aspinall said: “We went straight through, put some challenges into the male, couldn’t see him but could hear him smashing around. He appeared from the shed and ran straight towards us with a hatchet raised above his head. He was then shot with the baton gun, which put him down. We rushed up, grabbed him, and he was put into handcuffs.”

Aware that they needed to prevent the man from injuring members of the public or themselves, PC Aspinall fired an AEP baton round at the man’s chest. The impact of this disarmed the subject; he dropped the axe and he fell on his side. Both officers moved forward and were able to safely restrain him, preventing him from grabbing the axe again.

Officers arrested the man and escorted him to hospital; fortunately he had only suffered minor bruising from the baton round. He was subsequently prosecuted for making threats to kill, affray and criminal damage, and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. 

PC Aspinall added: “You don’t do the job for this… but it’s quite nice to get recognised and I guess… I certainly didn’t expect to get selected for the Bravery Award. It was a normal job and expectation. But I’m happy that we were recognised.”

Essex Police Federation Chair Laura Heggie said: “Steve and David were confronted by a vulnerable person in possession of a lethal weapon who stated he wanted to kill members of the public.

“Their excellent communication skills, quick decision-making, and awareness of tactical options prevented the man from causing serious or fatal harm to himself, the officers and others around him.

“They showed incredible bravery and skill and didn’t need to use lethal force. They are very worthy winners of an Essex Police Federation Bravery Awards.”

The officers will attend the Essex Police Federation Bravery Awards on Thursday 18 May.

At the event a winner will be announced who will travel to London for the National Police Federation Bravery Awards in July.

The lead sponsor for the Awards is The Northern Police Healthcare Scheme.

Also sponsoring the Awards are Rates Group, No 1 Copperpot Credit Union, Metfriendly, Slater Gordon, Flint House Police Rehabilitation, Uniform Mortgages, THB Legal, George Burrows, Arc Legal and Police Mutual.

The hashtag for the event is #EssexFedBravery.