West Mids officer wins Police Bravery Award
10 December 2021
A West Midlands Police officer won the Regional Award for the Midlands at the 2021 Police Bravery Awards after being nominated for tackling a knifeman who stabbed an emergency services worker in the heart.
PC Matthew Evans joined fellow nominees from forces across England and Wales at the awards ceremony in London which was also attended by policing minister Kit Malthouse, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick.
He took along his brother, Richard, as his guest and was also joined at the awards ceremony by Rich Cooke, chair of West Midlands Police Federation, and the Chief Constable Sir David Thompson.
The Police Federation of England and Wales Bravery Awards 2021 saw winners named in all eight of its regions and then an overall winner was chosen from those.
West Midlands Police Federation is part of Region 4 which also includes Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Mercia.
PC Evans was off duty when he witnessed the attack near the Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel, in October 2019. He immediately intervened, putting himself between the attacker, Mohammed Alinoor Uddin, and his victim.
The brave officer then chased Uddin as he fled and tackled and disarmed the man, who was high on drink and drugs, before holding him on the ground until Metropolitan Police officers arrived.
PC Evans was bitten on the hand by Uddin and also abused by a hostile crowd that gathered, with some trying to prevent him from holding the suspect.
He was taken to St Thomas’ Hospital in central London to receive treatment for the bite before giving up the rest of his day off to attend Stoke Newington Police Station, meeting the investigation team and providing a recorded witness interview.
His compelling evidence for the Crown Prosecution Service saw Uddin convicted of wounding with intent at The Old Bailey and jailed for 12 years and nine months in March 2020. He had previous convictions for robbery and possessing knives in public.
The victim of the knife attack survived after emergency surgery at the Royal London Hospital.
On being presented with his award by Paul Griffiths, president of the Police Superintendents’ Association, PC Evans talked about the horrific incident, explaining his shock that a crowd of onlookers made no attempt to help him. He also said that when making the decision to tackle the offender, he asked himself: “If not me, then who?”
Rich Cooke said after the ceremony: “I was very honoured to attend the Police Bravery Awards with Matthew and his brother. This was one of my first official duties since being re-elected as chair and I could not be more proud.
“Matthew, and so many other nominees, played down their efforts, saying they didn’t do anything out of the ordinary and they were just doing the job they are paid to do. But, each and every nominee showed just what it is that makes policing and police officers anything but ordinary. Each and every day they put their lives on the line to protect others, often complete strangers, and that is something that everyone – particularly the media and the public – needs to recognise more.”
The national Police Bravery Awards honour officers from across England and Wales who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.
Four West Yorkshire Police officers who detained two attackers who murdered a man with a samurai sword were named overall winners at the awards ceremony.
The colleagues were honoured for their professionalism during a horrific incident in January 2020 when they responded to reports of a man being viciously attacked outside a pharmaceutical factory in Huddersfield.
The officers – one of whom was in the first two weeks of her career – were confronted by the barbaric sight of attackers hacking at the victim with a sword and knives when they arrived at the scene. They bravely managed to detain both assailants, despite the offenders still being in possession of the murder weapon and knives.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the “dedication and conscientiousness” of all the nominees and paid tribute to their bravery.
He said: “Acts of bravery in policing are, necessarily and thankfully for us all, commonplace. Every day, local and national media is awash with examples of police heroism. Be it confronting dangerous and violent people, rescuing members of the public or working day and night on the most harrowing of cases, bravery is a defining characteristic of the police.
“It is this unflinching bravery, alongside your dedication and conscientiousness, that inspires my steadfast support for the police.
“I am bowled over by the nominees. You are a credit to your forces and your illustrious forebears in policing. I salute each and every one of you.”
Kerry McMahon-White, head of partnerships at Police Bravery Awards sponsor Police Mutual, said: “The role of a police officer has never been easy, but the last 18 months has seen you continue to protect the public while battling the unprecedented impact of Covid-19, putting the safety of others before yourself with unwavering commitment.
“I thank each one of you for the sacrifices you have made with resolute dedication in the most difficult of circumstances.
“To all of you who have been nominated; your acts of bravery are exceptional and this evening we pay tribute to your remarkable heroism and dedication.
“All at Police Mutual are honoured to be able to support those who have gone above and beyond and offer our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all nominees.”
