Three outstanding acts of bravery that assisted Met police officers have been recognised at the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) annual Police Public Bravery Awards.
The event celebrates brave members of the public who put themselves in dangerous situations, carrying out courageous and selfless acts to help protect others, defend their communities, prevent and detect crime and actively assist the police.
London nominee Raja Qadri was one of two recipients of the Binney Medal, given to those who stand out as exceptional above the rest. It is named in remembrance of Sir Ralph Binney, a retired naval captain who died while trying to stop an armed robbery.
Raja, along with fellow member of the public Shereia Hoque, were awarded gold medals at the prestigious awards held in Sheffield, while a third Met nominee, former PCSO Lee Jeffery, was a certificate winner.
In total, there were 14 gold and 61 silver medal winners, and 17 certificate winners at this year’s ceremony on 30 November, which this year included people saving strangers from burning buildings and vehicles and bystanders who stepped in during violent or sexual attacks.
DAC Alexis Boon attended on behalf of the Met. He said: “It was truly inspiring to spend the evening with Shereia and Raja, and together with Lee, all three are real life heroes who acted bravely and selflessly. They absolutely deserve this recognition and appreciation of their incredible actions. My sincere thanks to them for what they did, and congratulations to them.”
Raja Qadri was subjected to verbal and physical abuse as he protected a police officer from harm and prevented a potential fatality after a volatile crowd turned violent following an event at the O2 arena in London. Raja intervened to act as a human shield to protect the PC after a group of men who were smashing up a marked police car turned on her as she tried to arrest one of them, repeatedly punching her in the face and head and pushing and grabbing at her body. The crowd around were chanting and encouraging others to join in the attack.
The man detained by the PC was found guilty of assault on an emergency worker and two counts of criminal damage.
Shereia Hoque jumped in front of a driver’s car to stop him fleeing the scene after witnessing a horrific collision whilst she was driving to work. The photos she took at the scene in Canning Town after he hit a cyclist ended up being crucial police evidence and she ensured 999 services attended quickly to help the victim who was lying unconscious in the road.
The man was barred from driving for 20 years after pleading guilty to five offences relating to dangerous driving.
PCSO Lee Jeffery ended up in hospital due to injuries sustained following a fierce struggle with a violent suspect trying to flee from him in Westminster. The PCSO was patrolling St George’s Gardens, with a new Dedicated Ward Officer (DWO), when he detained a man who had cannabis. During the foot chase that followed, the PCSO managed to hold on to the suspect despite being knocked violently to the ground and being in significant pain. His DWO colleague successfully then handcuffed him the pair found a machete was concealed in his trousers as well as stolen mobiles.
The offender was convicted at court and sentenced to 80 hours community service and a £114 victim payment.
