Heroic members of the public honoured at bravery awards

Outstanding acts of bravery by the public in Merseyside were celebrated at the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) annual Police Public Bravery Awards last night (Thursday 30 November).
 
The prestigious awards were hosted at The Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield by Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, Lauren Poultney.
 
The ceremony was held to honour the brave members of the public who have placed 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.
 
Amongst this year’s award winners were:
 
Gold award winner:
 
• Jackie Gold (above with Chief Constable of the NPCC Gavin Stephens and Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy), who was on the top deck of a sightseeing bus on 20 June 2022 when she spotted an elderly man fall into the water at Salthouse Quay. She stopped the bus and entered the water, keeping the man afloat and providing first aid while still in the water before other members of the public helped them out of the water
 
Silver award winners: 
 
• Carl Baines, Liam Fennelly and Bobby Wilcox (below with Chief Constable of the NPCC Gavin Stephens and Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy), who helped warn members of the public, take others to safety and tend to victims after a man was seen with a machete struck four casualties on and around Priory Road in Anfield on 11 August 2022

• David Browne (below with Chief Constable of the NPCC Gavin Stephens and Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy), a former Cheshire Police officer, who was assaulted on 12 January 2021 after he challenged two men on New Brighton Promenade who were swinging large pieces of wood in a manner that was dangerous to the public. He was left with a brain injury and now requires 24-hour care

• Cameron Jacobie (below with Chief Constable of the NPCC Gavin Stephens and Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy), who along with a number of members of the public who came to the aid of a man and his mother who were swept into the sea at New Brighton Promenade on 6 July 2020 when the sea was extremely rough. Three schoolboys collected life rings for three men, one of whom reached the male and brought him to safety. Sadly, repeated efforts to get a life ring to the female proved unsuccessful. Cameron Jacobie and the New Brighton Lifeboat were deployed. The helmsman had to manoeuvre the boat in treacherous conditions, before Cameron got onto the rocks the female had been swept onto. He was injured in his efforts and, tragically, she could not be saved. The male was pulled to safety and first aid was administered by the lifeboat crew

 
The solid silver medals were designed and created by The Sheffield Assay Office and presented to the winners at the ceremony. 
 
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, who attended on behalf of Merseyside Police in support of our local winners, said: “My officers put themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis to protect the public. That’s their job, it’s what they joined the police force to do and I am so proud of each and every one for the fearless dedication they show day in, day out. Their bravery is never, ever taken for granted.
 
“But we can’t be in all places at all times, and it is so heartening to hear of members of the public – without any training or equipment - quite literally putting their lives on the line to help complete strangers.
 
“Whether leaping into cold and often treacherous waters to save the life of someone they have never met, or putting their own safety to one side in order to prevent any harm coming to others, our award winners in Merseyside have shown incredible courage in the face of serious danger. 
 
“Confronted with the most terrible situations, they did not shy away from doing the right thing – without a second thought, they leapt into action and I am truly in awe of the actions of each and every one of them.”