South Wales Police’s nominees for this year’s National Police Bravery Awards were given a memorable welcome to London after attending an exclusive reception hosted by the Home Secretary at Downing Street.
Sergeant Pete Williams and PCs Matt Reynolds and Gareth Green joined fellow nominees from police forces across England and Wales for the special event, which recognised the extraordinary courage and dedication of officers being honoured at this year’s awards.
The trio were nominated after their exceptional actions during a terrifying domestic disturbance, where they confronted an armed and highly aggressive suspect who threatened officers with a knife before brandishing a chainsaw inside a flat.
Despite the extreme danger, they worked together to contain the incident, protect those at the scene and safely bring the suspect into custody.
Ahead of the ceremony, the officers had the opportunity to meet the Home Secretary, who thanked police officers from across the country for their commitment to keeping the public safe.
For Matt, the visit was an unforgettable experience.
Reception
“It was quite surreal,” he said. “You only generally see Downing Street on the news.”
The reception also gave the officers the chance to meet colleagues from other forces and hear the stories behind their nominations.
“It’s a proud time,” Matt added. “I’m interested in hearing other people’s stories.”
Gareth said the event was a fitting way to recognise the dedication of officers from across the country.
“We even got to meet Larry,” he laughed, referring to Downing Street’s famous resident cat.
Hard work
“It’s nice to have a day out and a reward for our hard work. The Home Secretary was saying how thankful she was to officers up and down the country. It’s nice to be recognised.”
For Pete, the London trip also coincides with a personal milestone, as he celebrates his 40th birthday during the awards programme.
“I’m celebrating my 40th birthday while we’re here,” he said, adding: “It’s a pretty nice way to mark your birthday – and what a coincidence, you couldn’t plan it.”
The Downing Street reception marks the start of a prestigious day for the South Wales Police officers, who will later attend the National Police Bravery Awards alongside colleagues from across England and Wales.