Student officer celebrated at national Police Bravery Awards
14 July 2025
PC Eva Palmer was nominated for the Bravery Awards after she apprehended a knife-wielding offender at a free family music event in Ipswich last year.
And on Thursday (10 July), Eva enjoyed an exclusive Downing Street reception with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, alongside her mum, Alison. The pair then attended an awards ceremony in the evening, alongside dozens of other nominees from across England and Wales.
Eva said: “It felt like a big honour that I got to spend the day with my fellow nominees – it was lovely hearing so many incredible stories and all the hard work they’ve done.
Bravery Awards nominee Eva Palmer with her mum, Alison.
“It was also really nice to have my mum here with me, sharing each moment. I didn’t realise we would get the chance to see Downing Street, and I feel very lucky to have experienced this as well as the ceremony itself.”
At the evening ceremony, Eva was part of the Region 4 category, which was won by Leicestershire Police’s nominees.
The overall winners of the Bravery Awards were Merseyside Police Officers, Sergeant Gregory Gillespie, PC Luke Holden and PCSO Timothy Parry, from Merseyside Police.
The trio confronted and detained Axel Rudakubana after he killed three children at a dance class in Southport on Monday 29 July 2024.
Recognition
Reflecting on the event, chair of Suffolk Police Federation Darren Harris said: “What Eva did as a student officer only months into her policing career fully deserved the recognition it got on Thursday.
“We are all so proud of her, and I’m delighted she had such a lovely day in London and was made to feel special, which is what the Bravery Awards are designed for.
“With that in mind, I’d also like to pay tribute to all our Federation members, because you all deserve to feel appreciated for all you do for our profession and for the safety and protection of the public – your work will never go unnoticed.”
Getting proceedings underway was Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) chair Tiff Lynch, who introduced the Bravery Awards by saying: “Police officers across England and Wales step forward each day with unwavering dedication, never knowing what challenges they may face.
“In the face of uncertainty, danger and adversity they act with courage and professionalism – not for accolades or applause, but because they truly believe in their duty to protect others.
Home Secretary
“Tonight, as we celebrate the 30th Police Bravery Awards, we come together to recognise those whose actions have gone far beyond what is expected.”
This was followed by a heartfelt speech from the Home Secretary herself, who said: “I have been here many times before in different roles, but this is my second time here as Home Secretary and it comes just at the end of my first year in the position.
“It has been a huge honour to see every single day this year, the incredible work that policing does in so many parts of the country, in so many different ways.
“And I want to specifically honour the huge bravery shown by the nominees tonight. Some of those I have spoken to have said, ‘I shouldn’t have been nominated, because look at the bravery that everyone else has shown’.
“While I agree that everybody else has too, I would say please do let us pay tribute to you, because the bravery you've shown in those split-second moments has been truly incredible and has helped save and change lives.
“Tonight, we are saying thank you.”
Ms Cooper also referred to Eva’s heroics when she praised officers whose nominations centred around ‘putting their own lives on the line to keep everybody else safe’.
Eva with mum Alison and branch chair Darren Harris at the evening
awards ceremony in London.
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson DBE added her own message of congratulations, saying: “To every single nominee – you deserve all the plaudits and praise you receive. Regardless of whether you won or not, I hope you are all feeling incredibly proud of yourselves. For all that you have done and continue to do, thank you.”
Guests were then honoured with a video message from Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer.
In his address to nominees, he said: “As Prime Minister, I get the chance to meet and learn from amazing people – people like incredible police officers and staff up and down the country. Those who go out of their way to keep our communities safe,” he said.
“I know that again and again last summer, we saw the incredible spirit of public service in our police as so many of you stood firm against disorder, facing bricks, kicks, burning bins, and violent mobs in order to keep our communities safe.
“It’s that spirit of public service that all of you at the Police Bravery Awards embody in bucket loads, because when faced with life-threatening risks, or an acutely distressing situation, most people would run or back away.
“You are a credit to yourselves, your families, your forces, and our country. Thank you for everything you do.”
READ MORE: PC 'honoured' to be in the company of fellow Bravery Awards nominees.
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