Two heroic South Wales Police Federation members were among the officers recognised at the national Police Bravery Awards yesterday (Thursday 11 June).

PC Luke Francis and PC James Ruijs were nominated for the Region 7 Bravery Award for their courageous attempts back in November 2022 to find a knife attacker in a burning flat before helping to rescue neighbours.

The pair were responding to calls concerning a 32-year-old man with paranoid schizophrenia suspected of stabbing his father with a kitchen knife. They travelled to the man’s home in Nelson, Caerphilly and discovered it engulfed in flames, before valiantly entering various rooms within the flat to check if anyone had been trapped by the fire.

Their work with officers from Gwent Police, also nominated for the Bravery Awards following the incident, meant two people and a dog were safely evacuated from adjacent properties. The man possessing the knife, who had been hiding nearby, was eventually arrested for grievous bodily harm and arson with intent to endanger life.

On behalf of the Federation, chair Phil Walker (pictured left with secretary Mike George, second left) was present at the awards ceremony in support of Luke and James and reflected on a special evening: “The sense of pride on the night is immeasurable – it is difficult to describe what is like unless you’re actually there.

Stories of bravery

“Everyone is there to celebrate the amazing work of police officers do on a daily basis, and that is wonderful. Luke and James certainly fall into that category because what they did on that day at the flat made South Wales Police proud.”

The ceremony, celebrating its 29th year, was kicked off with an introduction by Tiff Lynch, the acting national chair for the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW).

Tiff said: “Tonight, we will hear extraordinary stories of bravery. Officers who will say, ‘it’s just part of the job’, but it’s not just part of the job – it’s going above and beyond the requirements of the job, and tonight we get the chance to recognise and thank those officers.”

Also in attendance were newly appointed Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and policing minister Dame Diana Johnson DBE.

Ms Cooper, who revealed she was at her 14th Bravery Awards, paid tribute to the dedication of nominated cops in a speech at the event.

Inspirational

“The reason I’ve attended so many Police Bravery Awards is because I think it’s so important to respect and recognise the work you do," she continued.

“And because the stories are always so inspirational, often so difficult, the incredibly difficult situations you have faced. The extreme violence that you will have had to work towards, the dangerous rescues that so many of you have undertaken."

The home secretary’s presence at the ceremony was coupled with her earlier appearance at a Downing Street reception exclusively for nominees and guests, in what was the first official event held by members of the new UK Government since last week’s General Election (Thursday 4 July).

The Region 7 category was won by a team from North Wales Police. Overall winners on the night were two Metropolitan Police members, PCs Alannah Mulhall and Joe Gerrard, who picked up the title for their display of bravery in protecting the public despite being stabbed multiple times in Leicester Square.

Achievements

Phil, who was joined in representing the Federation by secretary Mike George and Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan, highlighted the importance of celebrating the achievements of police staff far and wide.

“Officers need to know their commitment to the profession does not go unnoticed. They deserve so much recognition and it also needs to be known to the public the lengths these people go to in order to keep them safe,” he said.

Hosting the Awards was TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith, with Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington among the guests.

The annual event is organised by the PFEW and is sponsored by Police Mutual.

READ MORE: Federation sends good luck message to Bravery Awards nominees.