A police sergeant who tackled a man threatening to set himself alight on a petrol station forecourt has been praised for his “exceptional courage” after preventing what emergency services described as a potentially catastrophic fire.

On Thursday 10 April 2025, just after midday, a routine shift in Stratford-upon-Avon was shattered by a call no officer ever wants to receive. A man in acute crisis had entered the Tesco petrol station, doused himself in petrol, and threatened to set himself alight. As the fumes spread and staff fled in fear, the man remained alone on the forecourt, holding a lighter in one hand and a petrol container in the other.

PS Charlie Thompson was among the first officers to arrive. The scene he stepped into was volatile, unpredictable, and carried the potential for catastrophic loss of life. With the male standing beside active fuel pumps, soaked in petrol, and holding an ignition source, the risk to the public, emergency services, and surrounding homes and businesses was extreme.

While another officer relayed vital information to the control room, PS Thompson immediately engaged the man. He attempted to build rapport, encouraging him to move away from the pumps and towards safety. But the situation escalated sharply. During this initial contact, the man poured petrol over his own head and coated the fuel pump beside him in BBQ lighting gel.

This act transformed an already dangerous incident into a potential mass-casualty event. Officers arriving established a cordon, but a further complication emerged: in the rush to evacuate, staff had been unable to confirm whether the fuel pumps had been isolated. The entire station remained active. Any spark could have ignited the petrol-soaked forecourt, spreading rapidly across the pumps and beyond.

Despite the overwhelming smell of fuel and the knowledge that a single flick of the lighter could trigger a devastating fire, PS Thompson remained on the forecourt. He stayed close enough to maintain the fragile rapport he had built, yet far enough to protect his colleagues and the public.

A JESIP structure was quickly established with Fire and Ambulance services. Fire crews stood ready with specialist equipment, preparing for the worst-case scenario. Police negotiators arrived and attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the man’s demands became increasingly erratic and unreasonable. It grew clear that negotiation alone would not bring the incident to a safe conclusion.

Throughout this tense stand-off, PS Thompson’s calm, steady presence was the anchor point. His professionalism allowed him to remain within a short distance of the man, even as the risk intensified.

After a final unsuccessful attempt by negotiators to resolve the crisis peacefully, a pre-arranged plan was put into action. Having removed his heavy PPE to allow greater mobility, PS Thompson waited for the signal. When it came, he seized a moment of distraction and sprinted forward.

He tackled the man to the ground, immediately becoming drenched in petrol from the container still in the man’s hand. A desperate struggle followed as he fought to gain control of the lighter before it could be ignited. Fire extinguishers were deployed over him as he wrestled on the petrol-soaked ground.

Despite the extreme risk to his own life, PS Thompson succeeded. He prised the lighter from the man’s hand, eliminating the immediate threat of ignition. His team moved in to restrain and arrest the man, and the 200‑metre cordon was gradually lifted, allowing residents and workers to return safely.

Throughout the incident, PS Thompson demonstrated exceptional bravery, calm leadership, and a selfless disregard for his own safety. His actions protected his officers, safeguarded the public, and prevented what could have been a major incident in the heart of Warwickshire.

Andy Morrissey, Vice Chair, Warwickshire Police Federation, said: “PS Thompson showed all the skills of policing in one job. As a supervisor he took charge, yet still put himself forward and in harm’s way.

"Despite being aware of the risk, the petrol, the lighter, and the fact the forecourt had not been isolated, he took on great personal risk to stop a very dangerous situation turning into a catastrophe. This showed bravery, leadership, and the human nature to speak to a person in dangerous crisis.”

Chief Constable David Gardner said: "Charlie’s actions exemplify the very best of policing. In putting themselves in harm’s way to protect others, Charlie demonstrated exceptional courage, professionalism and selflessness.

"Being put forward for a national police bravery award is a fitting recognition of that commitment, and I know I speak for the whole force when I say how immensely proud we are of Charlie and the values he represents.”