Surrey Officer nominated for National Police Bravery Award

19 June 2018

A Surrey Police officer who stopped a man from jumping off a tall building in Epsom has been nominated in The Police Bravery Awards.

Temp Sgt James Lampard was called out to the Ashley Centre in June last year following reports that members of the public had seen a man up there.

Whilst on route the pair received more information from Met Police colleagues who said they had received a call about a man taking his partner’s car with the intention of driving to Epsom to kill himself.

The man’s partner said he had tried to commit suicide at the spot before. On arrival, Temp Sgt Lampard could see the man perched on the top floor on the wrong side of the barriers.

At first, he was very reluctant to talk but eventually Temp Sgt Lampard managed to get some rapport going, and it was clear that the man was indeed intent on ending his life.

He told Temp Sgt  Lampard that his life was not worth living anymore, that life was just passing him by and that he had been offered help before, but none had been forthcoming.

The relationship Temp Sgt Lampard built with the man in such a short space of time was such that he managed to get close enough to grab the man and gently pull him back from the precipice.

It was an incredibly brave act – given the man’s build and size he would have surely pulled Temp Sgt Lampard with him over the edge if he had decided to jump.

Once the situation was under control the man was safely conveyed to hospital while Temp Sgt Lampard’s skill and professionalism was noted by the force control room.

They stood down the trained negotiator on hand to help because they could see what a good job he was doing.

Surrey Police Federation Chair Melanie Warnes said Temp Sgt Lampard showed great courage and empathy to save the man's life.

"This rescue required a great deal of patience and determination," she said.

"It speaks volumes that the trained negotiator was stood down because Temp Sgt Lampard was doing such a wonderful job.

"He saved the man's life and is very deserving of this nomination."

Temp Sgt Lampard will attend a reception and an evening awards ceremony in London in July. The National Police Bravery Awards honour officers who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty. The awards are sponsored by Police Mutual.