Andy attends Bravery Awards as North Wales nominee

13 July 2026

PC Andy Collis has described attending the national Police Bravery Awards as ‘amazing’ as he represented North Wales Police at the 31st edition event of its kind.

Hosted by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), the special ceremony was held in London last week.

Andy became a Bravery Awards nominee following his heroics disarming an out-of-control individual with a knife – but not before the suspect had attempted to stab Andy as he resisted arrest, with the officer’s body armour meaning he only sustained minor wounds.

Earlier yesterday, he made an exclusive visit to 10 Downing Street as part of a reception with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, before going onto the awards night itself alongside branch chair Trystan Bevan and North Wales Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman.

 

Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman, PC Andy Collis and
branch chair Trystan Bevan

 

Here, Andy was included in the Region 7 category, which was eventually won by counterparts at Gwent Police. Overall winners on the night were officers at the Metropolitan Police for their response to the Hainault attacks in April 2024.

Speaking to the Federation at the ceremony, he said: “The whole day has been superb, especially in the way we’ve been looked after from start to finish. It just feels amazing to be here.

“When I got checked out after the incident, Trystan came to the hospital as my chief inspector at the time, so it’s gone full circle for him to be here with me now as chair of the Fed.

“The recognition is really nice and feels very special.”

Speech

PFEW national chair Tiff Lynch got proceedings underway with a passionate speech congratulating all nominees from far and wide.

She said: “Tonight, we will hear stories of individual valour – accounts of sensitivity and love in the face of the most heartbreaking vulnerability.

“Every nominee story is in the brochure on your table, and I ask that you take the time to read all of them. Because together, they paint a remarkable picture of modern policing.

“Policing asks a lot – you only have to look into the eyes of the people waiting for you to come home after every shift to understand that. It asks you to walk towards danger when everyone else is running away, and to make split-second, life-changing decisions in unpredictable circumstances. 

“It asks you to be courageous and compassionate in equal measure.”

Home Secretary

Later, while maintaining ‘this night is for celebration’, Tiff paid tribute to fallen officers whose own exceptional actions in the line of duty live on, adding: “I’d like to invite you all to stand with me for a moment to remember the police officers whose lives we have mourned in the last year.”

The Home Secretary again addressed nominees and guests at the ceremony – this time via video message – to offer praise for the invaluable commitment within policing towards protecting the public.

“It is my privilege to serve as your Home Secretary and to represent you all in government, especially on a day like today as we celebrate acts of heroism which would otherwise go unheralded,” she said.

“With these awards, we honour your bravery, and we think too of your colleagues on duty right now, as well as your families who share your sacrifice and the officers and staff no longer with us.

“Today is a chance to say what is too rarely said – thank you, on behalf of the whole country, for the danger you face and the lengths you go to in keeping the rest of us safe.

Praise

“I want to issue you with a firm instruction to put away your modesty and soak up the praise that is coming your way tonight.”

Meanwhile, Trystan discussed what the Bravery Awards mean to him as a regular highlight on the policing calendar.

“For me, as branch chair, this is a time to celebrate and enjoy with our colleagues, with people connected to the Federation and with everyone here from across England and Wales,” Trystan said.

“I was Andy’s chief inspector when the incident took place in Llandudno – I heard the call coming through in relation to him needing support at the scene.

“To have been in that with him, and to be here with him now as the nominee for North Wales, is a very proud moment, and he deserves all the recognition he is getting.”

READ MORE: Brave officer enjoys special Downing Street reception.