Brave trio in line for national award after entering burning flat

16 May 2024

Three Gwent police officers who risked their lives trying to find a knife attacker in a burning flat before rescuing neighbours have been nominated for a national bravery award.

Sergeant Geraint Hopkins, PC Ashley Joseph and an anonymous officer, worked with colleagues from neighbouring South Wales Police to track down a man with mental health issues who had stabbed his father with a kitchen knife.

The South Wales Police firearms officers PC James Ruijs and PC Luke Francis were initially called to reports the suspect had stabbed his father at an address in Nelson, Caerphilly.

After providing first aid, they went to the nearby address of the suspect, who had left the scene.

They were observing the property while the firearms officers from Gwent came to support, and saw smoke coming from an upstairs window and the bedroom light switched off.

Concerned for the safety of anyone inside, the officers, now accompanied by the anonymous officer from Gwent Police, entered the upstairs flat. There was a burning mattress in the bedroom, which was now engulfed in flames and smoke.

The three officers made a number of attempts to enter the bedrooms to check if anyone was trapped, but were fought back by the increasing intensity of the flames and the density of the smoke.

The officers tried to control the blaze using fire extinguishers but eventually had to withdraw from the property.

The citation for the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) Bravery Award nomination said: “The officers were in the burning flat for a total of eight minutes, improvising search tactics – sometimes on hands and knees – while simultaneously keeping a firearm pointed at the possible location of an armed subject.”

Meanwhile, due to the threat of the fire spreading, Geraint and Ashley carried out searches of adjacent properties and rescued two people and a dog.

The award citation continued: “After around an hour of firefighting the flames, a compromise tactical plan was created which resulted in Sergeant Hopkins, PC Joseph, PC Ruijs and PC Francis entering the property with partial respirators, supplied by the fire service.

“The search was particularly dangerous due to the ongoing threat, smoke and a degrading structure with a possibility of collapse. On three occasions the officers were held back due to the flames re-igniting within the property.”

At the same time, colleagues in the Force control centre and a negotiator had located the suspect, who was hiding nearby, and had a phone call with him.

The suspect agreed to give himself up and was arrested for grievous bodily harm and arson with intent to endanger life.

Now all five officers have been nominated for a National Police Bravery Award.

Their citation said: “The officers on this occasion demonstrated the utmost bravery showing unbelievable courage and the highest levels of public service putting their lives before that of another.”

Gwent Police Federation chair Matthew Candy said: “Our members acted in the best traditions of the police service, putting themselves at risk to protect life and limb.

“They responded quickly, calmly and effectively to an evolving situation, running towards danger to protect victims, rescue neighbours, and prevent it from turning into an even more dangerous incident than it already was.

“They fully deserve their nomination and, on behalf of Gwent Police Federation, I congratulate them for it.”

This year’s National Police Bravery Awards will take place on 11 July in London.

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