A resilient and determined student officer who single-handedly detained a prolific offender, despite being assaulted and injured, has been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025.

On 13 October 2024, PC Eden McClymont, from Cambridgeshire Constabulary, was at the Co-op at Mayors Walk in Peterborough regarding a crime enquiry, taking a statement from staff. Soon after she observed on the CCTV monitor prolific offender Dane O’Callaghan, concealing items under his jacket.

PC McClymont, who did not know O’Callaghan at the time, confronted him on the shop floor, and he denied stealing any items, prompting the officer to conduct a stop search. Nothing was found on him, suggesting he had quickly discarded the items, and O’Callaghan provided false details that could not be confirmed, leading PC McClymont to arrest him for attempted theft from the shop.

As O’Callaghan moved towards the exit, PC McClymont stopped him by taking hold of his right arm. He violently resisted, and during the struggle, he punched her repeatedly in the head.

Despite the assault, PC McClymont maintained her hold on him and deployed PAVA spray, subduing O’Callaghan and handcuffing him. The defendant continued to kick out and resist.

Staff at the location intervened to assist PC McClymont, calling 999, as no immediate assistance arrived. O’Callaghan grabbed and removed the officer's radio during the assault, preventing the activation of the emergency button.

Once other officers arrived at the scene, O’Callaghan was taken into police custody. PC McClymont sustained injuries but showed remarkable resilience and determination as a student officer facing a violent individual alone.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary Chief Constable Nick Dean said: “Eden displayed huge courage in confronting O’Callaghan who was well known within the city for theft offences.

“Despite being without immediate back up, she displayed the utmost professionalism and resilience in ensuring that he was prevented from leaving the store, having committed offences.

“She reacted immediately to what she had seen on the in-store CCTV despite being there on other unrelated enquiries. I am incredibly proud of Eden’s bravery and fully support her nomination.”

Cambridgeshire Police Federation Chair Liz Groom said: “We are unbelievably proud of Eden and the fact she will be able to attend such a prestigious event so early into her career – I’m sure it will be an occasion which stays with her forever.

“As a student officer, she has absolutely earnt her spot at the Bravery Awards after showing tremendous courage and determination to apprehend a dangerous offender single-handedly.

“This set a great example of how committed police officers are to protecting the public of Cambridgeshire, especially when the offender in question had a track record of disrupting the community.

“On behalf of the Federation, I’d like to wish Eden congratulations on her nomination and the best of luck for the awards ceremony itself.”