Federation sends good luck message to bravery award nominees

10 July 2024

Gwent Police Federation chair Matthew Candy has sent a good luck message to three officers nominated for a national Police Bravery Award.

Sergeant Geraint Hopkins, Sergeant Ashley Joseph and an anonymous officer were put forward after risking their lives trying to find a knife attacker in a burning flat before rescuing his neighbours.

Matthew, who will be representing the branch at the awards, said: “Our police officers are incredibly brave and every day they put themselves in danger to protect others – and this is a prime example of that.

“The officers put themselves at risk to track down a suspected knife attacker and then to make sure that neighbours were able to get out as the fire threatened to spread.

Ceremony

“I wish the three Gwent officers, and their colleagues from South Wales, the very best of luck and hope they have an enjoyable time at the ceremony.

“Their actions are fully deserving of their nomination and we’re very proud of them.”

South Wales Police firearms officers PC James Ruijs and PC Luke Francis initially responded to calls on 16 November 2022 that a 32-year-old man with paranoid schizophrenia was suspected of stabbing his father with a kitchen knife.

They went to the address of the suspect and were observing the property while firearms officers from Gwent Police came to support, and saw smoke coming from an upstairs window.

Now accompanied by the anonymous officer from Gwent Police and concerned for the safety of anyone inside, the officers entered the upstairs flat.

They found a burning mattress in the bedroom, which was now engulfed in flames and thick smoke.

The three officers made a number of attempts to enter the bedrooms to check if anyone was trapped while keeping a firearm pointed at the possible location of an armed suspect.

However, they were forced back by the increasing intensity of the flames and the density of the smoke.

Spreading smoke

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

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

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.

All five officers have been nominated for a National Police Bravery Award which take place in London tomorrow, on Thursday 11 July.

They will be joined at the ceremony by Acting Chief Constable Mark Hobrough.