Police who tackled armed man who burst into North Wales home in line for bravery award

Two North Wales officers who tackled an armed man who had forced his way into the home of a woman he had earlier allegedly sexually assaulted have been put forward for the national Police Bravery Awards.

PCs Richard Shea and Matt Reynolds, who retired in June 2020 after 30 years’ service, have already been presented with the force’s Fletcher Award, which is presented annually to an officer or officers who have shown outstanding bravery.

The two armed response vehicle (ARV) officers were called to an address in Llandudno Junction in June 2019 following reports that a man armed with a gun was forcing his way into a property after previously attacking a woman there earlier that night while young children were at the address.

Multiple calls to the police suggested he was armed with a machine gun although this was then reported to possibly be a BB gun.

“The risk was still considered to be very high, given the fact that he was armed, he was a risk to the victim, there were children in the house and there were members of the public nearby,” explained Mark Jones, secretary of North Wales Police Federation which nominated the two officers for the award.

“These officers headed straight to the scene as any delay could cause loss of life and I am sure their brave actions and the fact they put themselves in harm’s way prevented someone being seriously injured or killed.”

PC Reynolds explained that all the information that had been called through was that the man was armed and that they didn’t have time to lose.

“We decided we couldn’t wait for a second car,” he said.

“We made our way to the house in complete darkness and could hear raised voices.

“We got to front door, which we could see was open. At this point a barrel of something has come out of the open door and pointed at us.

“It’s only down to the fact that we got so close to the front door that we saw a glint of streetlight. Something told me this wasn’t right; a real weapon doesn’t shine like that.”

The offender in fact had a toy gun, which the officers only discovered because they got so close to the house.

PC Shea explained how the man was Tasered and they made another nasty discovery.

“After he ditched the imitation firearm, he had a large kitchen knife in a downward grip behind the door,” he said.

“Had I breached the door like I had intended, the first place that blade would have gone is in my neck”.

Their supervisor, PS Tash Doran-Jones, said afterwards: “They were faced with a challenging report of a male who was suspected of having sexually assaulted a female prior to the call, back at her address trying to force his way in, armed with a gun.

“I feel that their bravery, decision-making and threat assessment on the night not only prevented the female victim and members of the public from being hurt but also avoided harm to the subject.”

The annual Police Bravery Awards, sponsored by Police Mutual, honour some of the finest officers in England and Wales who have performed incredible acts of bravery, while on or off duty.

Last year’s ceremony, which was due to be held in London in July, was postponed due to the pandemic, but will be staged on 12 October to say thank you to our 2020 winners on a national stage.

A total of 94 brave officers from forces across England and Wales have been put forward for an award.