Staffordshire Police officers who dealt with the Flax Street incident
Staffordshire Police officers who dealt with an incident where two young children were killed by their mother have been nominated as Uniformed Heroes in the Your Heroes Awards in recognition of their ‘incredible bravery and compassion’.
The incident in Flax Street, Stoke, resulted in the death of a seven-year-old girl and her 11-year-old brother and the attempted murder of their father, all by the mother.
The first officers at the scene included a PC who was only on her second day as an operational police officer.
They give immediate life support to try to save the lives of the children, who are described as having horrific injuries.
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: “This nomination is not in recognition of a positive outcome achieved, but in the incredible effort and bravery they showed to give everything they could to attempt to save the lives of these two young children.
“The traumatic events the officers witnessed and worked amongst will no doubt haunt them forever. Despite the incredibly difficult circumstances, all officers treated victims, witnesses and the wider community with respect and dignity whilst ensuring the initial response to the critical incident and valiant attempts to preserve life were at the forefront of their minds.
“This was truly a once in a career incident that I hope no one has to deal with again. It was an incident that tested everyone and the way the officers responded was impeccable, both collectively and individually, operationally and emotionally and it required them to step up to the plate and demonstrate their skills and knowledge and use their experience in many different ways. But as well as this it brought out officers’ natural and human characteristics, all that makes them great people.
“What I took from the incident the most was the overwhelming sense of pride from witnessing the care and compassion shown to each other which was something that will stay with me forever. Gone was their profession and beyond the status of colleagues came their friendships and the connections they clearly have with one another. The support, care and attention they gave one another was second to none and no one was left wanting. The officers were there for each other when it counted and it’s what makes the police unique.”
On June 11, 2023 police were called to reports of a man being stabbed at a car wash in Campbell Road, Stoke and information was received that the offender had allegedly killed her children.
PCs Andrea Brearley and Alex Potts attended the car wash where they found the victim, who had a stab wound to his side.
Meanwhile PCs David McEntire and Ebony Goodwin, who was on day two as an operational police officer, went to Flax Street and found a seven-year child with ‘horrific injuries’ as well as the suspect. PC Bayley Bennett arrived at the scene, arrested the suspect and removed her from the property.
PCs McEntire and Goodwin started CPR on the child ‘ in harrowing circumstances’. They were joined at the scene by PCs James Allen and Andrew Alcock from the Armed Response Unit. Between them, the officers carried out intensive intermediate life support to try to save the young girl’s life.
On arrival of paramedics, including advanced trauma staff, the officers’ efforts were of such a high standard that they continued to support the lifesaving attempt.
It was PC Alcock who searched the rest of the property and tragically located the little girl’s 11-year-old brother in an upstairs bedroom. He had also received critical injuries.
Sergeant Elliot Waller and PCs Demi Clark, Emily Osbourne and Natalie Millward had by now joined the scene and took turns to perform immediate CPR on the boy.
Colleagues including PCs Stacey Collet, Kimberley Trotter, Ryan Dzierzkowski, Angeliki Vogiatzi Warren Dooley Sergeant Aimee Holdcroft, Sergeant Shevlin secured the scene, set-up cordons, reassured friends and neighbours at the scene and supported the Air Ambulance crew.
At the car wash, PC Jake Wild escorted the father to hospital, supported him throughout and had the extremely difficult task of breaking the news that the children had sadly passed away at the scene.
On July 1, 2024 the children’s mother was ruled to have killed her two children and to have stabbed her partner at a Trial of Facts at Nottingham Crown Court. She is now subject to an indefinite Hospital Order.
PC Mark Sigley and DC Katy Sigley
Husband and wife police officers, Mark and Katy Sigley, saved the lives of two people after stumbling across a house fire while they were off duty.
Mark went into the burning building to try to save one of the occupants after the couple spotted smoke while they were driving.
The husband and wife living in the property hadn’t been aware that there was a fire, with Mark and Katy now nominated as Uniformed Heroes in the Your Heroes Awards in recognition of their actions.
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: “Having discussed the incident with the officers and understanding the gravity and seriousness of the situation they found themselves in I have no doubt that the actions of PC Mark Sigley and DC Kate Sigley saved the lives of both occupants on this evening.
“Their selfless actions in entering a burning building, bravery in the face of very challenging circumstances and their speed of thought in relation to saving the lives of others is outstanding.
“Both officers are a credit to their respective teams and to the Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police.”
The couple had been driving along Baswich Lane in Stafford when something that they initially thought must be mist obscured their field of vision.
When they realised it was smoke they stopped the car and found the house where it was coming from.
As they were banging on the front door of the property the garage turned from billowing smoke to large flames, drastically increasing the level of risk.
One of the two occupants was believed to be asleep in an upstairs bedroom so Mark went into the now burning building to try to locate him but Martk and a member of public made it partway up the staircase before the thickness of the smoke forced them to turn back.
By this time the garage was fully on fire and there were popping sounds from within the garage as gas cannisters exploded.
The couple helped to evacuate neighbouring homes and were communicating with the man inside the burning house, who was now shouting for help from an upstairs window.
A short time later firefighters, equipped with breathing apparatus, entered the house and were able to rescue the man and get him into a waiting ambulance.
PC Shazia Hussain
PC Shazia Hussain administered life saving first aid after encountering a knife attack victim while she was off duty and out shopping.
The Staffordshire Police officer took off her scarf to make a tourniquet for a man with a six-inch laceration to his arm that had caused a potential arterial bleed.
She placed pressure on the wound while searching his body to find six further lacerations.
It was a high possibility that the offenders, who were clearly armed, could have still been in the area and Shazia put her life and safety at risk given the circumstances.
Shazia also managed to call 999 for the police and ambulance whilst dealing with what was an understandably chaotic scene now with a crowd forming.
There were more than 100 people at the scene but managed to keep everyone safe all whilst trying to keep the injured party alive.
She had been off duty in Wolverhampton collecting some items from a shop when she came across a man running with a member of the public shouting “he’s been stabbed.”
As she was off duty she had no PPE, no radio and no back-up.
Nominating PC Shazia Hussain as a Uniformed Hero in the Your Heroes Awards, a Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: “I believe that Shazia has shown that she has clearly gone above and beyond what was expected of her and this should definitely be highlighted.”
Captain Austin Miller
Captain Austin Miller joined the Army in 1979 and is still serving 45 years later.
He has served in every rank from Private to Regimental Sergeant Major to Captain and served on operations in Northern Ireland, the Gulf and Cyprus where his roles included Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant and Command Vehicle Sergeant.
About to celebrate his 61st birthday, Austin has turned down the opportunity of retirement as he says ‘I still enjoy my job and feel I have something useful to give’.
He joined the Army in 1979 and began serving with the 1st Battalion the Staffordshire Regiment in 1980.
In 2006, after 27 years, he transferred to the 4th Battalion the Mercian Regiment where he has a full-time role as Regimental Operations Support Officer.
This includes supporting reservists to go on operations, being the unit’s recruitment officer, leading on diversity and inclusion, running an internal website, keeping data and running social media accounts.
“I could have retired at 60 but I wanted to stay on as I enjoy my job and always have done,” said Austin. “I signed up for three years initially then extended that to nine and bv that point I was bitten by the bug. I’ve been Army focussed my whole life.”
Captain Miller has been nominated as a Uniformed Hero in the Your Heroes Awards by Captain David Sidwell, Adjutant of the 4th Battalion the Mercian Regiment.
Captain Sidwell said: “I cannot think of anyone more fitting to receive this award than Captain Austin Miller. After 45 years in the Army he shows no signs of slowing down and is absolutely pivotal to the Battalion.”
Captain Miller added: “It’s nice to be recognised. It’s not the sort of thing that I would usually do.”
Jason Humphreys, Owen Crooks, Richard Medway, Mark Pell-Walpole, Gareth Witcomb, Sean Cooley and Nick Fife
A woman’s life was saved by the quick actions of a team of firefighters who carried her from a house fire then performed CPR before paramedics arrived at the scene.
The woman had ‘no life signs’ when she was carried out of the building but has gone on to make a full recovery.
Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber KFSM of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has nominated the seven firefighters involved in the incident as Uniformed Heroes in the Your Heroes Awards.
He said: “The quick actions of the teams at Penkridge and Cannock meant that a lady’s life was saved following their actions in administering CPR. The crews worked as a team and ensured that the priority of saving life was achieved in some very testing conditions.
“This incident involved a semi-detached property that was alight with persons reported to be inside. Thanks to the swift response from crews from Penkridge Orange Watch and Cannock Green Watch with the support of Owen Crooks as pump operator and Officer in Charge Nick Fife the blaze was quickly contained.
“The initial Breathing Apparatus crew of Sean Cooley and Gareth Witcomb gained access to the property, extinguishing the fire. The crew from Penkridge located a lady inside the property and asked for assistance from the second Breathing Apparatus team of Mark Pell-Walpole and Richard Medway who then carried the casualty with no life signs out of the property.
“The crew outside of the property consisting of Wes Southall and Jason Humphreys performed CPR on the lady until the arrival of West Midlands Ambulance Service.
“The firefighters’ prompt actions prevented the fire from spreading to the adjacent properties. Effective co-ordination and communication enabled crews to rescue and administer a successful resuscitation of the occupant using advanced life support techniques.
“The quick administration of CPR by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service crews saved the individual’s life. Thanks to the immediate medical intervention the occupant was stabilised and transported to hospital and has since made a full recovery.”
The Uniformed Hero nomination recognises the actions of Jason Humphreys, Owen Crooks, Richard Medway, Mark Pell-Walpole, Gareth Witcomb, Sean Cooley and Nick Fife.
Firefighter Harry Noon
When firefighter Harry Noon found himself caught up in a police pursuit he helped to apprehend a suspected thief.
Harry, an on-call firefighter and community safety officer at Rugeley Fire Station, was walking through the town when he saw a PCSO chasing a woman and decided to help.
The 27-year-old has been nominated as a Uniformed Hero in the Your Heroes Awards by Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber KFSM for going above and beyond his usual duties.
Rob said: “Harry was walking back towards Rugeley fire station when he saw a PCSO chasing a female into Phoenix Close. He was aware the close was a cul-de-sac so walked around the corner
to see if he could assist.
“He saw the officer lose his grip of the female so as she ran towards him he grabbed her. Harry was able to detain the female until the officer was able to restrain her.
“They brought her into the security of the fire station until a police vehicle was able to come and take the female to the police station. Harry offered water to the officer whilst waiting.
“Following on from the incident the PCSO advised that the female was suspected to have stolen items of clothing from a store in town and the PCSO had followed her through town. Once she noticed she was being followed she started to run. The woman was arrested and questioned at the police station.”
Harry said: “I’m lost for words that the Chief Fire Officer has nominated me for a Your Heroes Award. It’s an honour that it’s been recognised and it’s massively unexpected.”
Harry has worked for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service for nearly two years,
He added: “The events that happened that day aren’t what firefighters would usually do or are trained to do.”
PC Venus Wakley
As the public face of Tamworth Police, PC Venus Wakley has adults thanking her for how she dealt with them in their teens and saying they’re on the straight and narrow because of her.
Venus has been the town centre officer for Tamworth for nearly 20 years and spends much of her time out in the community, liaising with various groups and being a visible police presence in the town.
She’s been praised for her commitment to Tamworth including her work to help Syrian refugees to settle into the town.
Councillor Tina Clements of Tamworth Borough Council has nominated Venus as a Uniformed Hero in the Your Heroes Awards.
She said: “Venus is the face of Tamworth Police that everyone recognises. She is so passionate about her job and always gives so much to the people of Tamworth.
“She is selfless in her role as a police officer and has a smile that makes you like her instantly. She inspires people to do more, always encouraging those less fortunate or down on their luck that there’s always tomorrow.
“She is hugely popular when on the beat and has respect from everyone, even when she’s telling them off.
“She is fanatical about change, especially with the youngsters and gives them the strength to be who they want to be.
“Venus always leads by example, championing the needs of others. She helped with Syrian refugees whilst they settled into Tamworth and made sure they were welcomed and felt at ease in our great country and the town of Tamworth.”
Venus said: “I’m shocked to be nominated for a Your Heroes Award and also honoured. I think it’s lovely that someone would take time out of their busy schedule to nominate me.”
She added: “I’ve had grown-ups come up to me and tell me they’re on the straight and narrow now, thanking me for how I dealt with them and apologising.
“I’m very passionate about Tamworth and the people that live here. We have people running the town down and I always say there are a lot of worse places.
“I just love my job and get a buzz from it, especially when I’m helping people. I deal with people from all walks of life and if I can help somebody then it’s a good outcome.”
Andy Buttery and Alf Wilson
From delivering aid to countries affected by natural disasters to restoring vintage fire engines, retired firefighters Andy Buttery and Alf Wilson still work tirelessly to support their former colleagues and the wider community.
Both men completed more than 30 years of public service with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and continue to play a significant role despite their retirement, including running a network for other retired firefighters.
They have been jointly nominated in the Uniformed Hero category of the Your Heroes Awards by Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber KFSM.
He said: “These two individuals conduct a considerable amount of voluntary work in support of others and exemplify the core characteristics of emergency services workers. As such I believe that they need to be recognised.”
Andy Buttery served Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service from September 1975 until his retirement in August 2010.
He runs the retired members network which provides support, advice and guidance to retired members of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. He writes a newsletter which goes out to all retired members and provides up to date information to his network. This is vital to many members as they get older.
Andy set up a living well group to provide wellbeing support to veterans. The group has gone from strength to strength and meets regularly at fire stations around the county providing information and support on subjects such as financial support, lasting power of attorney, healthy eating and dealing with grief.
Andy and colleagues have established and registered a charity to raise funds to restore
vintage fire appliances to make them available to local communities and to educate the next generation of firefighters.
During the pandemic he volunteered his time to support the service in the delivery of the vaccination programme.
Rob Barber said: “Andrew is the epitome of the fire and rescue service values and is a valuable member of the team even though he retired a number of years ago. The value that he adds to our service is immense.”
Alf Wilson has dedicated most of his adult life to the service of others. He started his career with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service in April 1979 and completed 30 years of service.
Once retired he continued to support others and remained the chair of the SESHAA, a group that has worked all over the world providing humanitarian aid and support to countries affected by conflict or natural disaster. He has coordinated trips and been tenacious in gathering equipment and supplies to deliver to countries.
Alf was a Founder Member and Chair of SESHAA from 1995 to 2018. He then handed over the Chair and took on the role of project manager/advisor. He has now been doing humanitarian aid work internationally since his first visit to Russia in March 1993. Between 2012 to 2014 SESHAA was in Bangladesh supplying vehicles and equipment to Kenya. 2015 saw SESHAA become founding members of FIREAID, a new organisation in the fire and rescue service community. In 2015 SESHAA was involved in a project in Tajikistan. He undertook a joint scoping visit in March 2015, with FIREAID members, to look at assistance and support for the Fire and Rescue Service, Health Service and Police. He was part of a FIREAID team that delivered a £40,000 donation of medical and firefighting equipment. The visit also involved a fact-finding expedition into the Khorog region of the Pamir Mountains, where he and the team looked at the need for a 4×4 rescue vehicle and Mountain, RTC and Mud rescue equipment. The equipment was delivered in a convoy from the UK to Tajikistan, some 4,261 miles.
Alf recently assisted in the setting up of a living well group. The group meets regularly and provides support and comfort to those that have been finding life difficult, again volunteering in his own time to support others. He is always at the centre of organising speakers and outside support.
He has also supported Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service in many ways as a volunteer and assisted throughout the pandemic despite going through some very difficult personal issues at the time.
Rob Barber said: “Alf has delivered such great outcomes within some really hostile environments and has done this for so many years, putting the needs of others above his own.”
Andy Buttery said: “I was very surprised to be nominated for a Your Heroes Award. It came as a bit of a shock. It’s a great honour to be recognised by the Chief Fire Officer.”
Alf Wilson was on an overseas mission at the time of the nomination and said that he was both surprised and delighted.
Jonathan Norbury
Paramedic Jonathan Norbury dedicates his free time to teaching children martial arts, self-defence and essential life skills.
The 43-year-old from Kingsley, who is the over-40s world champion in Ju Jitsu, teaches at the non-profit organisation Tatsu Dojo in Draycott. He has won numerous accolades for his work raising awareness of mental health and self-defence as well as passing on skills in the sport he is so passionate about.
His story began 39 years ago when he caught the martial arts bug from his father. 12 years later, aged 16, he decided to become a coach and pass on his expertise to others.
His coaching led him to relocate to Surrey where he coached at the Youth Games. He was awarded Coach of the Year in 2004. Since then, and alongside a return to Staffordshire, he has coached numerous people to both national and international levels.
It’s not only high-performance athletes who Jonathan supports, quite the opposite. He and his team have made it part of their remit to support all those who want to get into martial arts.
He said: “A lot of clubs focus on the elite athletes, whereas we try and have an open-door policy for everyone. We find where people’s interests lie, what they are good at, and harness that interest by supporting them regardless of their level.
“What we teach are the fundamentals so that if there is a dangerous situation, we will have educated them to a standard where they would be able to defend themselves. I think these skills are vital in the modern day.”
All of this work is against the backdrop of his full-time job as a paramedic.
He said: “It can get pretty exhausting inevitably; however, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m not only passionate about martial arts but also about those who I directly impact through my coaching.”
Tara Burndred teaches martial arts alongside Jonathan and has nominated him for a Your Heroes Award.
She said: “Jonathan is helping children learn skills to stay safe and overcome lack of confidence, self-esteem and bullying. He has been invaluable to the Tatsu team and we think he deserves this recognition.”
Jonathan added: “It’s always nice to be recognised; however this isn’t why I do what I do. I have knowledge, skills and expertise and I only think it’s right that I should share that with the future generation.”