The three officers who confronted and detained Axel Rudakubana after he killed three children at a dance class in Southport have won the overall National Police Bravery Award 2025.

On Monday 29 July 2024, Sergeant Gregory Gillespie, Constable Luke Holden and PCSO Timothy Parry were all on duty in full uniform working out of Southport Police Station.

At midday, all three Merseyside Police officers heard a radio transmission requesting for officers to attend immediately at Hart Street, Southport. 

The incident was described over the radio as being one involving a male attacking children with a knife. PS Gillespie made his way to the incident; he was single crewed and currently at another location dealing with a separate case. 

PC Holden and PCSO Parry were at Southport Police Station when they heard the transmission, before heading to the incident together.

PS Gillespie arrived first at scene and described what he was presented with as “chaos”. He saw numerous members of the public in the street, all appearing extremely panicked, with many having armed themselves with items to use as weapons.

Upon exiting his vehicle, PS Gillespie saw a seriously injured child. He shared this information via his radio and directed a paramedic to assist the child before he continued to the premises where he believed the suspect was located. 

PS Gillespie requested further patrols to head to his exact location urgently. It was later confirmed the business premises in questions was being utilised for a Taylor Swift themed children’s workshop, with 26 children in attendance.

By this time, PC Holden and PCSO Parry had also arrived at the location. All three officers witnessed various members of the public running away, carrying young children.

The door to the premises had a glass panel which had been smashed.

PS Gillespie drew his baton and PC Holden drew his Taser before entering whilst PCSO Parry covered the exit.

Once at the top of the stairs the officers were faced with Rudakubana, who was holding a large knife.

PC Holden red dotted the suspect and both officers shouted at him to drop the knife, whilst they continued to approach him. 

PCSO Parry, upon hearing, immediately ran into the premises and upstairs to assist his colleagues. 

Whilst doing so the officers passed another seriously injured young child. As they approached the suspect, the knife was dropped, but due to his actions it was necessary for the officers to strike Rudakubana with a baton and numerous kicks to get him under control on the floor. 

Rudakubana was handcuffed and arrested for attempted murder. The officers then continued to instruct other present members of the public to assist with first aid before continuing to search the premises for injured persons or other suspects. 

In the room behind where the suspect was detained a further seriously injured young child was found, and in a separate room the officers located a young girl and adult female who had been hiding from the suspect. 

In another room a further group of males were located hiding, all shaking with fear and one with a stab wound to his leg, who were guided out by the officers.

By this time, more officers and paramedics had arrived at the location to assist those who had been injured.

Due to the actions of Rudakubana, three young children were tragically killed, Elsie Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King. A further 10 other people, including young children and adults, were attacked and stabbed, in an attack described later in court as a “meticulously planned rampage”.

Presenting the award, Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson told all nominees: "Seeing the selfless commitment to helping others, the willingness to put yourself in harm's way, the unwavering dedication to serving and protecting the public. 

"Congratulations to every single nominee, you deserve all the plaudits and the praise. Regardless of if you have won or not, I hope you feel incredibly proud of yourself. Your family, friends and colleagues are also incredibly proud of you."

Upon collecting the award, PC Luke Holden said on behalf of the team: "It makes me feel very privileged - privileged to make that difference." 

The regional winners are:

Region 1, Merseyside: Sergeant Gregory Gillespie, Constable Luke Holden and PCSO Timothy Parry

Region 2, Cleveland: PS Steven Bolsover and PC Joe Shuttleworth

Region 3, West Mercia: PS Kully Singh and PC Stacey Hegenbarth

Region 4, Leicestershire: PC Tom McGrath and PC Jack Milman

Region 5, Sussex: PS Craig Lees and PS Matthew Seekings

Region 6, Wiltshire: PC Nicola Crabbe

Region 7, South Wales: PS Holly Price and PC Jordan Rockey

Region 8, Met 1: PC Mohammed Raja