National Police Bravery Awards: nominees honoured in London
14 July 2025
Matthew Candy has heaped praise on the annual event, which took place on Thursday (11 July), and was attended by Gwent Police’s PC Ryan Blair-Baggs, PC Robbie Higgins, PC Abigail Jenkins-Murphy and Special Constable Mark Lee.
The group received the nomination following their heroic attempt to rescue a man from a burning car in Cwmbran.
The day began with a reception hosted by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper at the Foreign Office, followed by media interviews and photos outside 10 Downing Street. The celebrations concluded with a glittering awards ceremony attended by police leaders and politicians.
Discussing the event, Matthew, who accompanied this year’s nominees, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that our team of heroes had a fantastic time throughout the day. All four of them are a credit to our Federation and our Force.
Courage
“Each year, this event is an opportunity for us to honour and recognise the hard work, bravery and courage demonstrated each day by police officers.
“The pride that fills the room is second to none. Each year it gets better.
“I feel proud and privileged to have once again been able to join our nominees at such a fantastic day and night of events.”
Reflecting on his Bravery Awards experience, Ryan said: “It was excellent to get this kind of appreciation, and I’m glad so many officers have been able to receive that for the acts of bravery which have happened up and down the country.”
Mark added to this by saying he was ‘very proud to be recognised for what police officers do every day’, while Robbie said: “Obviously, we don’t do what we do for the recognition, but it’s a great thing to be here and surrounded by friends and family.”
Gwent's nominees with family and loved ones outside No.10 Downing Street.
Meanwhile, Abigail paid tribute to her fellow Gwent Police nominees, saying: “It’s fantastic to work with these guys – they’re amazing and it doesn’t feel like work at all when I’m with them.
“I think it makes it extra special that we’re representing the Force together here and with our loved ones too.”
The group were part of the Region 7 category at the ceremony, which was won by officers at South Wales Police.
This year’s overall winners were Sergeant Gregory Gillespie, PC Luke Holden and PCSO Timothy Parry from Merseyside Police. They were honoured for their courage in confronting and detaining a man who had killed three children at a dance class in Southport on 29 July 2024.
Evening proceedings were started by Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) chair Tiff Lynch, who welcomed guests by setting out the purpose of the Bravery Awards: “Police officers across England and Wales step forward each day with unwavering dedication, never knowing what challenges they may face,” she said.
Protect
“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.”
In addition to the Downing Street reception, the Home Secretary was in attendance at the ceremony and delivered a speech to the audience.
In this, Ms Cooper touched on the actions of Ryan, Robbie, Abigail and Mark when she praised ‘officers trying to rescue individuals trapped in the most terrible of situations’.
She said: “Tonight, we are saying thank you. I have been here many times before in different roles, but this is my second time here as Home Secretary and it comes just at the end of my first year in the position.
“It has been a huge honour to see every single day this year, the incredible work that policing does in so many parts of the country, in so many different ways.
Gwent's Bravery Awards nominees.
“We often talk about the way in which you have to run towards danger when the rest of us get to walk away – but you also have to run towards the trickiest and most difficult situations that the rest of us can't solve, and when everybody else has given up, it's you that have to pick up the pieces.
“So, I just wanted to say a huge thank you, because we owe you a huge debt of gratitude for being the ones we call when everything else has gone wrong.”
This was followed up with words from Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson DBE, who added: “To every single nominee, you deserve all the plaudits and praise you receive. Regardless of whether you won or not, I hope you are all feeling incredibly proud of yourselves. For all that you have done and continue to do, thank you.”
Sacrifice
And this was all topped off with a video message to guests from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
“On behalf of our whole country, I want you to know we appreciate your skill, your service, and your sacrifice – not just today, but always,” he said.
“Tonight, soak up the atmosphere, revel in the praise that you so deserve, and most of all, be proud of what you’ve achieved.
“You are a credit to yourselves, your families, your forces, and our country. Thank you for everything you do.”
