Welsh lead congratulates region’s Police Bravery Awards winner

18 July 2022

Police Federation Welsh lead Nicky Ryan has congratulated the winner of the Welsh regional award at the Police Bravery Awards 2022.

The six Welsh nominees joined fellow nominees at a Downing Street reception hosted by Home Secretary Priti Patel which was followed by an evening awards ceremony at a central London hotel.

South Wales PC Nathan Davies who risked his life trying to save a couple from a river bed during a raging storm won the bravery award for the Welsh region.

PC Nathan Davies with Welsh deputy minister for social partnership Hannah Blythyn and Steve Hartshorn, the national chair of the Police Federation.

Nathan was knocked unconscious during the rescue attempt but crawled on his hands and knees towards the two casualties when he came round and performed CPR on one of them until other officers started to reach the scene.

Speaking after the event, Nathan said: “It feels brilliant and it’s nice to be acknowledged. You feel you don’t deserve it because you see officers doing everything in their service.”

Nathan was presented with his award by Hannah Blythyn, deputy minister for social partnership within the Welsh Government.

All four Welsh forces put forward officers for the national Police Bravery Awards.

Nicky explained: “As usual the Welsh forces were represented by a group of exceptional police officers who have shown incredible courage and dedication.

“The nominees all put their own lives at risk to protect people from their communities and I don’t think it would be possible to praise them too highly.”

Nicky said: “Officers like Nathan always try to play down their acts of courage but there is no doubt he risked his own life to try to ensure the safety of others and he received this bravery award in recognition of his selflessness and dedication to duty.

“Each of the nominees from Wales displayed extraordinary levels of bravery and determination and they should all be very proud of themselves. They are all a credit to their Force.”

Gwent Police Sergeant Menna Watkins was nominated after an incident which unfolded when she responded to reports of a man being threatened with a knife.

Menna spoke to the alleged victim at the scene and was trying to get more information about the suspect when he charged through the crowd of onlookers and lunged towards her. 

She deployed her Taser as he ran towards her and then handcuffed him and waited for back-up to arrive at the scene.

Dyfed Powys PCs Lucy Morris, Nikita Matthews and Paige Morgan were shortlisted after an incident in Llandrindod Wells last October.

The three officers fearlessly responded to reports that a man with mental health issues was drunk, issuing threats and “messing with petrol” and when he pointed a rifle and began to walk towards the centre of the town they took the decision to use their police vehicle to control the man.

This was done in as safe a way as possible and the suspect sustained a minor leg injury as a result.

North Wales Police nominee PC Clare Larkey-Jones was off duty when she risked her own safety by breaking up a street brawl in Caernarfon town centre.

Clare saw a man violently punching his victim, pulling him to the floor and kicking him and with no thought for her own safety put herself in the middle of a group of men to diffuse the situation and protect members of the public.

The Welsh nominees for the Police Bravery Awards 2022.

Speaking at the Downing Street reception, Ms Patel told the nominees: “I am delighted to be able to celebrate with you, once again, the incredible courage of a remarkable group of police officers. 

“Your work involves an extraordinary degree of sacrifice that should never be taken for granted. These awards play an important part in ensuring your deeds are recognised.”

The annual bravery awards are organised by the Police Federation and sponsored by Police Mutual.

This year’s overall winner was Lincolnshire Police’s PC Steven Denniss who was stabbed as he tackled a double murder suspect he has spotted while off duty and out walking his dogs.