In the early hours of 15 May 2024, a quiet residential street was transformed into a scene of danger when off duty Thames Valley Police officer PC Andy Kemp was forced to defend his home and family from a group of masked intruders.

At around 1.45am, while asleep at home with his wife Sara and their two sons, Rhys aged 15 and Harry aged 13, PC Kemp was woken by a neighbour urgently warning him that four or five masked men with torches were looking into his unmarked police van parked outside.

His family home, the one place where he should have been safe, had become the target of a serious and unexpected threat.

Reacting instantly, and dressed only in a t-shirt and shorts, he instructed his wife to stay upstairs with their sons while he moved into the kitchen to investigate. Through the window, he saw the garden security light was illuminated.

Moments later, he heard the side gate rattle. Torchlight then swept across the garden, revealing four figures gathered near his garage, appearing to attempt entry.

With no hesitation and no concern for his own safety, PC Kemp unlocked the back door and stepped into the garden to confront them. As he did, all four suspects attempted to flee, scrambling to scale an eight-foot fence.

He managed to grab hold of one of the men but was immediately attacked by others in the group.

During the violent struggle, he was stabbed in the face and arm with what appeared to be either a screwdriver or a knife. He was also struck repeatedly on the head with a metal bar.

Despite hearing threats to stab him again, PC Kemp refused to release the suspect he had detained.

The attack left him with two deep head lacerations, a stab wound to his cheek, cuts to his hands, a puncture wound above the elbow and a significant stab wound to his forearm that exposed tendons.

Still fighting through serious injuries, he managed to move towards the police dog kennel on his property, where his highly trained Belgian Malinois, Astle, was housed.

He opened the kennel, allowing Astle to assist in detaining the suspect while the remaining attackers fled.

In an extraordinary act of courage, PC Kemp’s teenage son Rhys also ran outside to help his father despite the clear danger.

Even while bleeding heavily and injured in multiple places, PC Kemp continued restraining the suspect until uniformed officers arrived and took over.

TVP Chief Constable Jason Hogg said: “PC Andrew Kemp showed extraordinary courage when confronted with a sudden and violent threat to his family home. Despite being off duty, outnumbered and seriously injured, his determination to protect others and detain a dangerous offender exemplifies the very best of policing.

“His actions along with the bravery shown by his son Rhys and PD Astle reflect a level of selflessness and resilience that deserves the highest recognition.”

TVP Federation Chair Aileen O’Connor said: “Andy showed exceptional courage when he confronted masked suspects who had entered his back garden, acting without hesitation to protect his family, home and police dog.

“Despite being attacked with a screwdriver, knife and metal bar, and hearing threats to stab him, he held on until his son Rhys and PD Astle helped bring the main suspect under control. The psychological impact on Andy and his family after such an attack in their own home should not be underestimated.

“True to his humble nature, Andy downplayed his actions in court, simply saying, ‘I’m a police officer, it’s what I do’.

“His bravery has been recognised before, having won the National PFEW Inspirational Award in 2024 alongside PC Jason Evans, and this incident stands as yet another example of his outstanding dedication and courage.”