Officers do Suffolk proud at Police Bravery Awards

14 July 2023

Two Suffolk Police officers who prevented an armed robbery at a betting shop have represented the Force at the national Police Bravery Awards 2023.

PCs Craig Cullen and Ryan Butters were invited to Number 10 Downing Street yesterday before attending a glittering awards ceremony in London in the evening alongside fellow nominees from across England and Wales.

The pair were recognised for their actions in arresting the suspect who had threatened shop staff at the Coral bookmakers in Sudbury last June with what appeared to be a revolver.

He brandished the weapon in the face of the cashiers and asked if they “wished to die” before demanding money from the tills. The two officers found him waving around the weapon in a busy town centre street.

They were put forward for the away by Suffolk Police Federation with branch secretary Ben Hudson accompanying them to the awards ceremony. Ryan was joined by his partner Hannah at the awards and the Force’s Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Eamonn Bridger also attended the awards ceremony.

At the awards ceremony are (left to right) Temporary ACC Eamonn Bridger, Hannah, PC Ryan Butters, PC Craig Cullen and Ben Hudson, secretary of Suffolk Police Federation

“It was an honour to accompany Craig and Ryan to the awards ceremony and to see their brave actions recognised. Like so many police officers, without thought for their own safety, they walked towards danger when others would turn away,” said Ben.

“The bravery awards highlight police officers’ commitment to serving and protecting their communities. All the nominees are always keen to point out that they were simply doing their job, but it is a job like no other and their selfless acts and dedication to duty should be recognised throughout the year, not just at the annual awards ceremony.”

The Suffolk nominees were put forward in the awards’ Region 4 category which was won by Nottinghamshire’s Sergeant Dan Griffin and PC Amy Pannell who apprehended an enraged knifeman who had stabbed one of them multiple times.

The overall winners on the night were from West Midlands Police – 14 officers who risked their lives to pull four children from a frozen river in December and perform CPR, though sadly the youngsters could not be saved.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak paid tribute to all the officers who were nominated at the 28th Annual Police Bravery Awards, sponsored by Police Mutual.

He said: “I am acutely aware of the pivotal role that the police play in our society. We depend on officers to fight crime and keep us safe. This is public service of the most noble kind and everyone working in policing has my enduring gratitude and admiration.”

National Federation chair Steve Hartshorn said of the nominees: “Their commitment to the role and extraordinary sense of duty is incredible, as they will humbly tell you they have carried out these selfless acts because this is what they are supposed to do. Their actions of going above and beyond the call of duty is truly inspiring.”