Sgt Alec Barrett talks about his National Police Bravery Awards nomination

21 February 2024

Sussex Police colleague Sgt Alec Barrett has been talking to BBC Radio Sussex about his nomination for the National Police Bravery Awards.

Sgt Barrett suffered a broken eye socket and nose while trying to break up a fight.  

He told BBC Radio Sussex that his decision to run towards the disturbance in Brighton. “replays in my head quite frequently” but that he felt he “did the right thing”.

“I’m just unfortunate enough to have suffered an injury from it, but it did prevent further harm from occurring,” he said.

“If I had to do it again I certainly would.”

He told the radio show that he was “extremely overwhelmed” and “humbled” to have received the National Police Bravery Award recognition.

“[The healing process] has been quite a difficult process really,” the officer said.

“Coming to terms with the injury in the first place and the fact it may never get better, and having confirmation it will never get better.

“But I try to look on the positive side of things – it could have been significantly worse for me, potentially even losing my life in the worst circumstances.”

He added: “I focused on the task at hand which was apprehending the person doing so much damage to me.”

Sgt Barrett, who had been on his own at the time, said his partner and children were left in tears after seeing the extent of his injuries.

“It was particularly heart-wrenching knowing that the injury I’m going to be living with for quite a while had made the people I care most about really upset,” he said.

But despite the devastating impact of the attack, Sgt Barrett said he was back to work and “back to doing what I enjoy”.

Jonathan Beauchamp, then 19, of Old Barn Way, Southwick, West Sussex, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent for his role in the attack.

He was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay £2,000 in compensation.

The defendant also had to undertake 120 hours of unpaid work and attend 24 rehabilitation sessions.