In a poignant celebration of courage and selflessness, three individuals have been honoured at the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) annual Police Public Bravery Awards for their outstanding acts of bravery in support of Met police officers.
London nominee Raja Qadri, a recipient of the prestigious Binney Medal, stood out as exceptional among heroes. Alongside fellow awardee Shereia Hoque, who received a gold medal, and former PCSO Lee Jeffery, recognised with a certificate, these real-life heroes demonstrated remarkable bravery in the face of danger.
At the awards ceremony held in Sheffield, a total of 14 gold and 61 silver medals, along with 17 certificates, were presented to individuals whose acts ranged from saving strangers from burning buildings to intervening during violent or sexual attacks.
DAC Alexis Boon, representing the Met, expressed gratitude, stating: “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.
