Fed members who risked their lives recognised at Police Bravery Awards

16 July 2024

A trio of Gwent Police Federation members were honoured at this year’s national Police Bravery Awards in London.

Sergeants Geraint Hopkins and Ashley Joseph and an officer who wishes to remain anonymous were nominated for the Federation’s Region 7 Bravery Award for their part in trying to find a knife attacker in a burning flat before rescuing nearby residents in an incident in November 2022.

The three courageous officers joined constables from South Wales Police, who were also nominated for the bravery awards, at the attacker’s address in Nelson, Caerphilly. The flat was engulfed in flames and the anonymous Gwent officer joined the South Wales colleagues in entering various rooms in the home to check for anyone trapped by the fire.

Meanwhile, due to the threat of the fire and smoke spreading, Geraint and Ashley searched the adjacent properties and rescued two people and a dog. The man with the knife, who had been hiding nearby, was eventually arrested for grievous bodily harm and arson with intent to endanger life.

Gwent Police Federation chair Matthew Candy, left, with Acting Chief Constable Mark Hobrough.

Gwent Police Federation chair Matthew Candy, who attended Thursday’s (11 July) awards ceremony in support of the nominees, explained what the event means to police officers far and wide.

“There are 140,000 people in the police force doing extremely brave things every day, so it is difficult to pick apart the bravest from everybody else. The bravery awards are a nod to all the commitment displayed by the profession everywhere that doesn’t get shouted about or shown enough,” said Matthew.

“Our nominated officers displayed exemplary policing at that flat that day and showed unbelievable courage to put themselves at such risk. They deserved all the recognition they received.”

Day of celebration

The Region 7 category was won by a team from North Wales Police.

This did not dampen the spirits of team Gwent, however, who still enjoyed a day of celebration for police bravery, beginning with an exclusive Downing Street reception for nominees and guests with the newly-appointed Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

In what was the first official event hosted by the new Government after the General Election, they were also joined by new policing minister, Dame Diana Johnson DBE.

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

Tiff said: “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.”

Ms Cooper, who revealed she was attending her 14th bravery awards, paid tribute to the dedication of the nominees in a speech at the ceremony.

She said: “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.

Inspirational

“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.”

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.

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