West Yorkshire colleagues awarded prestigious PFEW Bravery Award after detaining attackers who launched ‘barbaric’ assault on a defenceless factory worker.
Four police officers who fearlessly detained two attackers who murdered a man with a samurai sword have been named winners of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) Annual Police Bravery Awards, sponsored by Police Mutual.
PC Daniel Broderick, PC Elizabeth Brook, PC Anthony Dutton and PC Richard Knowles received the prestigious award at a ceremony held in London [9/12/21] in front of an audience including The RT Hon Kit Malthouse, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, and The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP.
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 four West Yorkshire 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.
Both the victim and a colleague, whose hand was severed but managed to run away, worked at the factory. The factory workers confronted a gang of trespassing youths who were under the influence of drugs and alcohol, before the attack. Both pleaded guilty to murder and were jailed for life in September 2020 at Leeds Crown Court [*DETAILS BELOW – NOT FOR PUBLICATION].
A post-mortem later revealed there had been 100 sharp-force injuries to the body of the deceased, mainly to his head, neck and upper body.
Describing what the four officers confronted when they arrived at the scene of the attack, PC Brook recalled: “It was like a movie – that’s how I remember it. It was slow motion- we didn’t realise what we were seeing.
“A detective inspector later said this was the worst he had ever seen – he said it was absolutely horrendous, and you’ve dealt with it within the first two weeks of your career.”
PC Dutton added: “The bloke with the samurai sword turned around and looked towards us, but carried on with his hacking, sawing motion just as though if he didn’t care. He didn’t care about what he was doing, and it was just barbaric, inhumane.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the ‘dedication and conscientiousness’ of 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.”
PFEW National Chair John Apter, who personally handed over the Bravery award to the four officers, said: “Daniel, Liz, Ant and Richard represent the very best of policing, and fully deserve all the recognition they will rightly receive.
“Police officers are committed, dedicated public servants who frequently do extraordinary things to selflessly protect others. The outstanding bravery and professionalism shown by all the PFEW Bravery nominees once again proves we have the best police officers in the world.”
Kerry McMahon-White, Head of Partnerships at 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 whilst 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.”
Regional Award Winners [NOTE: hyperlink to further details)
Region 1: GMP – PC Simon Toft, PC Alicia Snowden
Region 2: West Yorkshire – Overall winners
Region 3: West Midlands – PC Matt Evans
Region 4: Northamptonshire – PS David Cayton
Region 5: TVP – PC James Packman, PS Iain Watkinson, PC Liam Steele, PC Liam King
Region 6: Dorset – PS Paul Linpower, PC Lee Mather
Region 7: Gwent – PC Mark Burbidge, PC Owain Smallwood
Region 8: Met 3 – PS Natalie Markham
Inspiration in Policing Award
DC Steven Bailey, a City of London Police officer who nearly died after contracting Covid-19, received the PFEW’s Inspiration in Policing award from Mr Apter. More details on his story will be available after 7pm on the POLFED website.
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