30th Police Bravery Award winners announced
11 July 2025
- On 10 July, 15 police officers from eight regions were awarded for exhibiting exemplary acts of bravery in the line of duty.
- Winners were selected by a judging panel after receiving nominations from 38 police forces across England and Wales.
- Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Policing Minister Diana Johnson DBE attended to present awards.
The extraordinary risks police officers take to keep our communities safe was celebrated today, Thursday 10 July 2024, at the prestigious 30th Police Bravery Awards.
Hosted by the Police Federation of England and Wales since 1996, and sponsored by Police Mutual, the annual awards honour the bravest of our dedicated police officers for displaying outstanding commitment to their role protecting the public while on or off duty.
Video footage of the ceremony will be available on our YouTube channel after the event here: Police Federation of England and Wales HQ - YouTube.
This year’s overall winners of the Bravery Awards are Sergeant Gregory Gillespie, Constable Luke Holden and PCSO Timothy Parry, from Merseyside Police.
The trio confronted and detained Axel Rudakubana after he killed three children at a dance class in Southport on Monday 29 July 2024.
PS Gillespie arrived first at scene and described what he was presented with as “chaos”. He saw numerous members of the public in the street, all appearing extremely panicked, with many having armed themselves with items to use as weapons.
Upon exiting his vehicle, PS Gillespie saw a seriously injured child. He shared this information via his radio and directed a paramedic to assist the child before he continued to the premises where he believed the suspect was located.
By this time, PC Holden and PCSO Parry had also arrived at the location. All three officers witnessed various members of the public running away, carrying young children. The door to the premises had a glass panel which had been smashed.
PS Gillespie drew his baton and PC Holden drew his Taser before entering whilst PCSO Parry covered the exit.
Once at the top of the stairs the officers were faced with Rudakubana, who was holding a large knife.
PC Holden red dotted the suspect and both officers shouted at him to drop the knife, whilst they continued to approach him.
PCSO Parry, upon hearing, immediately ran into the premises and upstairs to assist his colleagues.
Whilst doing so the officers passed another seriously injured young child. As they approached the suspect, the knife was dropped, but due to his actions it was necessary for the officers to strike Rudakubana with a baton and numerous kicks to get him under control on the floor.
Rudakubana was handcuffed and arrested for attempted murder. The officers then continued to instruct other present members of the public to assist with first aid before continuing to search the premises for injured persons or other suspects.
In the room behind where the suspect was detained a further seriously injured young child was found, and in a separate room the officers located a young girl and adult female who had been hiding from the suspect.
In another room a further group of males were located hiding, all shaking with fear and one with a stab wound to his leg, who were guided out by the officers.
By this time, more officers and paramedics had arrived at the location to assist those who had been injured.
Due to the actions of Rudakubana, three young children were tragically killed, Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Bebe King. A further 10 other people, including young children and adults, were attacked and stabbed, in an attack described later in court as a “meticulously planned rampage”.
The regional winners are:
Region 1, Merseyside: Sergeant Gregory Gillespie, Constable Luke Holden and PCSO Timothy Parry
Region 2, Cleveland: PS Steven Bolsover and PC Joe Shuttleworth
Region 3, West Mercia: PS Kully Singh and PC Stacey Hegenbarth
Region 4, Leicestershire: PC Tom McGrath and PC Jack Milman
Region 5, Sussex: PS Craig Lees and PS Matthew Seekings
Region 6, Wiltshire: PC Nicola Crabbe
Region 7, South Wales: PS Holly Price and PC Jordan Rockey
Region 8, Met 1: PC Mohammed Raja
Inspiration in Policing Award, sponsored by Flint House
Winners: PCs Viki Evans and Kate Sheehan, Cheshire Police
In September 2023, dog handler PC Steve Powell, known as Powelly, sadly took his own life. All his colleagues were devastated.
His fellow dog handlers PC Evans and PC Sheehan knew Powelly as a bubbly, vibrant officer who had two main passions in life, Manchester City Football Club and his love of dogs.
During his career he achieved his dream of becoming a dog handler and his proudest day was passing out with Frank, a dog which he had trained himself.
Deeply affected by their colleague’s death, Viki and Kate came to the Federation and said they wanted to do something in memory of Powelly and help other men who were struggling with their mental health.
From that conversation came the 4092 Men’s Talk Group last year, named after PC Powell’s collar number.
The Men’s Talk Group is a peer support group, where men can gather in a safe environment, chat about how they’re feeling, and share some ways of dealing with things, all facilitated by an expert in mental health.
The group needed funding so, even though they were still grieving, they threw themselves into raising money, with Kate running marathons and Viki organising a gruelling 24-hour ‘Spinathon’, where she rode a spin bike in the force headquarters canteen for 24 hours nonstop, with many senior leaders, colleagues and friends joining in at certain points.
They have raised over £5,000, half of which helps fund the 4092 Men’s Talk Group and future men’s mental health campaigns. In honour of Powelly’s great love of dogs, the other half of the money has gone to the Cheshire Dogs’ Home.
Cheshire Police Federation Chair Jamie Thompson said: “Viki and Kate have achieved a phenomenal amount in the past year to honour Powelly and support men’s mental health, and they've done all it off their own back, while still carrying the grief of losing their friend and colleague. Everyone is very grateful for their commitment, and their empathy for those who are suffering with poor mental health.”
Heart of Policing Award, sponsored by Police Mutual and Axon
To celebrate 30 years of the Police Bravery Awards we are introducing the Heart of Policing Award to celebrate an exceptional example of care and empathy. The award is the brainchild of Bravery Awards judge and Chair of the Independent Scrutiny Oversight Board, Abimbola Johnson who said:
“This is a form of bravery that is essential to emergency responses and can be overlooked and undervalued in policing. It felt particularly poignant therefore to establish a new category in the 30th year of these awards to recognise this bravery which has been labelled “The Heart of Policing”.
The award went to PC Tom Vinall from Kent Police
PC Vinall’s high level of empathy, compassion and clear and calm engagement, ultimately led to saving the life of a vulnerable female, sitting on a ledge in a hazardous derelict building.
Notable quotes from the Bravery Awards
PFEW National Chair Tiff Lynch said: “Police officers across England and Wales step forward each day with unwavering dedication, never knowing what challenges they may face. In the face of uncertainty, danger and adversity they act with courage and professionalism – not for accolades or applause, but because they truly believe in their duty to protect others.
“Tonight, as we celebrate the 30th Police Bravery Awards, we come together to recognise those whose actions have gone far beyond what is expected. The stories we share are not just examples of bravery – they are powerful reminders of the extraordinary risks officers take to keep our communities safe.
“Whether confronting violent attackers, rescuing individuals from life-threatening situations, or making split-second decisions under immense pressure, these officers have shown exceptional courage and selflessness.”
PFEW Acting National Secretary John Partington said: “Each year, the Police Bravery Awards rightly honour the courage, selflessness, and professionalism demonstrated by officers across the country.
“These awards provide a vital opportunity to acknowledge and thank all police officers for their service, often carried out in the face of unimaginable challenges.
“Policing is constantly under scrutiny, and today we shine a light on the unwavering commitment and sense of duty shown by our officers. Every nominee at the Police Bravery Awards is a true winner.”
PFEW CEO Mukund Krishna said: “Tonight is not only a tribute to bravery, but also a celebration of the unwavering commitment, professionalism, and dedication shown by the officers gathered here – and by countless others across the country.
“Every day, officers report for duty not knowing what challenges they may face, nor whether they will return home safely. Time and time again, they run toward danger when others would flee.
“Their devotion to duty and deep sense of responsibility are nothing short of inspiring. Speak to them, and they will often say, with humility, that they were simply doing their job. But we know these selfless acts go far beyond the call of duty.”
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Welsh Government, Jane Hutt said: “It’s an honour to present an award at this year’s Police Bravery Awards, as the event marks its 30th year.
“Every day our police forces put themselves at risk to protect us, and it’s always inspiring to hear the stories and experiences of those who are nominated for these awards. I’d like to congratulate all the nominees and winners in this year’s event, and I thank our police forces for the work they do every day to keep our communities safe.”
Kerry McMahon White, Managing Director, Police Mutual, said: “Police Mutual is honoured to be sponsoring the 30th Police Federation of England and Wales’ Police Bravery Awards, recognising acts of unlimited bravery and resilience by some remarkable police officers.
“As a police officer, your unwavering commitment to keeping us safe in often difficult and life-threatening circumstances is remarkable. Your acts of bravery, often with great personal sacrifice, are above and beyond and should never be taken for granted.
“These awards are an important part in ensuring your acts of heroism to keep us and our communities safe get the recognition they deserve.”
Photo Credit: Peter Anderson
