WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS CONTENT THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY FIND DISTRESSING
Bodycam footage shows the moment police in Hampshire heroically saved a woman from her former partner as he held a knife to her throat during a violent attack.
When PCs Robert Davies, James Pawley and James Langmead arrived at the scene in Basingstoke in June last year, they saw that a children’s bedroom was on fire.
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After officers forced entry into the home, they found Kyle Butler, 29, wielding a knife and threatening to kill his ex in front of their two small kids.
Dramatic bodycam footage shows the moment Butler was dragged out of the house, as his ex-partner and PC Pawley sustained knife injuries.
Butler was later jailed for life for attempted murder.
The three officers have now been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2023, which take place on Thursday (13 July), for their incredible efforts.
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PC Pawley said: "There's a fire on the landing which my colleague proceeds to put out but as we make our way further into the property you could see the kid's bedroom's been set on fire, the bedroom next to that there's a man holding a woman hostage with a knife to her throat and two very small children in front of her on the bed."
When the officers entered the house, they heard screaming as the home filled with flames and thick, black smoke.
PC Pawley, with the assistance of PC Langmead, managed to tackle the flames by removing a burning mattress, while PC Davies attempted to speak calmly to Butler.
While the man was disarmed, PC Pawley was badly injured.
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He continued: "In the melee, I got stabbed in the hand which severed four tendons requiring surgery but luckily we managed to contain him, get him in cuffs and then get the family out, get the woman and the two children out to safety."
PC Langmead added: "It was pure chaos but I think we just ran on adrenalin at that point and you don't focus on yourself it was just a case of just coming into shock after when you come outside and get out of the situation."
Zoë Wakefield, Hampshire Police Federation chair, said: “All the officers’ ability in managing a high-pressured, control and restraint situation with an armed and dangerous individual, to then turning to a victim-focused care and support mindset, for the mother and children on the scene, and for their colleagues too, demonstrated their great skill and significant empathy.
"A testament to the experience and training they have gathered over their service period.
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“The combined quick thinking and actions of all officers involved, led by PCs Pawley and Davies, undoubtedly saved lives and saved property, and what could have had a horrific ending resulted in three saved lives and a disturbed and dangerous individual in handcuffs.”
Chief Constable Scott Chilton, of Hampshire Constabulary, said there was ‘no question’ that the ‘brave actions’ of the three officers ‘saved lives’.
“Despite being confronted with such a dangerous situation, these officers did not hesitate to put themselves in harm’s way, knowing the lives of a mother and her young children were relying on their swift and decisive action,” he said.
“PC Pawley showed immense strength to carry on despite being stabbed, going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure no one else was harmed.
“Every day our officers find themselves first at a scene and if they don’t act fast and with complete professionalism, lives would be lost, and this is a clear example of that.
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“Congratulations to the three of you and we wish you the best of luck at the awards ceremony later this year.”
You can call the freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit nationaldahelpline.org.uk to speak to someone online.
Jess Hardiman