Good luck to Bravery Awards nominee

8 July 2025

Nottinghamshire Police Federation has sent a good luck message to an off-duty officer nominated for the national Bravery Awards for tackling a knife-wielding shoplifter.

Acting Sergeant Rishi Thobhani confronted the offender in Arnold town centre with children and families in the area.

He described his nomination as ‘a proud moment’ but said he was ‘just doing his job’.

Now Federation branch chair Mark Lee has wished him all the best ahead of the awards, which will be taking place later this week.

Acting Sergeant Rishi Thobhani.

Mark, who will also be attending the ceremony, said: “On behalf of Nottinghamshire Police Federation and our members, I’d like to wish Rishi all the best for the Police Bravery Awards.

“Rishi showed incredible courage to take on a man who was wielding a knife while he was off duty and without his personal protective equipment.

“The incident happened in the daytime in a busy town centre, and Rishi acted without hesitation to protect the public and disarm a dangerous offender.

“He went above and beyond the call of duty, putting himself in harm’s way to serve and protect others.

Nomination

“His nomination is most deserved.”

The incident happened at around 3.30pm on Thursday 30 May, 2024 as Rishi was going for a walk in Arnot Hill Park after a challenging day of blue light driving training.

As he was walking to the park, he noticed staff from Poundland chasing a man who had stolen a number of items from the store.

The offender was a prolific shoplifter, known for intimidating staff and using threats of violence.

Rishi identified himself as a police officer and instructed the offender to stop, but when he refused, a foot chase ensued.

The offender produced a large kitchen knife and threatened to stab Rishi if he carried on following him.

Rishi continued to engage while dialling 999 and reporting the incident to the Force control room.

Increased risk

The offender walked back towards Arnold town centre, a busy shopping area, which presented an increased risk to the public.

A struggle for the weapon followed. With the tip of the knife centimetres from his face, Rishi managed to pull it away from him and take the offender to the ground and disarm him.

Rishi was assisted by members of the public in keeping him detained until on-duty officers arrived and the offender could be handcuffed.

The offender, Michael Delaney, aged 35, of no fixed address, admitted to a number of shop thefts, possession of a bladed article and threatening a person with a bladed article.  He was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment at Nottingham Crown Court on 24 October.

Rishi will represent Nottinghamshire Police at the Police Federation of England and Wales Bravery Awards in London on Thursday (10 July).

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