A PC who demonstrated unwavering commitment to protecting the public when faced with a knife-wielding thief, even though off duty with no protective equipment, has been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025.

An off-duty PC Rishi Thobhani from Nottinghamshire Police was walking along the High Street on 30 May 2024, when he noticed Poundland staff chasing Michael Delaney, who had just stolen items from the store.

PC Thobhani identified himself as a police officer and instructed Delaney to stop. When Delaney refused, a foot chase ensued.

As PC Thobhani closed the distance, Delaney produced a large kitchen knife and threatened to stab the officer, shouting that he refused to go back to prison.

Despite the threats and not wearing PPE, PC Thobhani continued to engage with Delaney while managing to dial 999 to report the incident.

Delaney walked towards Arnold town centre, increasing the risk to the public. Recognising the danger, PC Thobhani sprang into action to apprehend Delaney before on-duty officers could arrive.

Witnesses described Delaney's attempts to stab PC Thobhani, shouting, “let me go or I’ll stab you”, with the blade tip only centimetres from the officer's face.

Undeterred, PC Thobhani skilfully disarmed Delaney and took him to the ground. Members of the public assisted in detaining Delaney until on-duty officers arrived. The knife was recovered, and Delaney was found to be wanted for multiple offenses.

PC Thobhani said: "My role at that moment was to make sure no harm comes to anyone. I didn’t think twice about what harm I would come to. I trusted my instincts and skills to apprehend Delaney.

“I joined the police to protect the community. I knew that if Delaney didn’t hurt me, I strongly believed he was going to hurt someone else. Had I arrived a few moments later or did not see the chase, I have full faith Delaney could have harmed one of the Poundland staff chasing him."

Nottinghamshire Police Chief Inspector Paul Hennessy said: “What PC Thobhani did that day was remarkably brave. He went above and beyond to ensure a dangerous offender was taken off our streets.

“Response officers put themselves in harms’ way every day to protect the public and ensure the streets of our city and county are safe.

“It is why they do what they do, and this example is a fitting testament to their outstanding work in our communities.”

Nottinghamshire Police Federation Chair Simon Riley said: “Rishi displayed incredible courage to confront a knife-wielding offender while off duty and on his own and without his personal protective equipment.

“Without any thought for himself, he put his own safety at risk to protect the public.

“He acted in the best traditions of policing, going above and beyond the call of duty to disarm a dangerous offender, who was wanted for multiple offences.

“Rishi’s nomination for the police bravery award is thoroughly deserved and on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police Federation I wish him the best of luck.”