Moment police heroically save woman from knife-wielding former partner during violent attack
Police bravely tackled the knife-wielding man to the ground after he threatened his ex-partner
Warning: Contains distressing content
Terrifying bodycam footage has been released showing the moment a man held his ex at knife point during a vicious attack.
Officers Robert Davies, James Pawley and James Langmead were called to an address in Basingstoke, where a child's bedroom was on fire in June last year.
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When they arrived, the PCs broke down the front door and battled their way through the flames using an old mattress to protect themselves.
They then found Kyle Butler holding a knife against his ex-partner's throat, with their two young children present at the time.
PC Davies attempted to speak to Butler and calm the situation down.
Bodycam footage from the stand-off shows the moment officers managed to tackle the 29-year-old and drag him out of the house.
Butler's former partner and PC Pawley were both injured as a result of the incident.
Butler was later sentenced to life in prison for attempted murder.
As a result of their bravery and quick thinking, Davies, Pawley and Langmead have all been nominated for this year's National Police Bravery Awards.
Recalling the call, PC Pawley said: "There's a fire on the landing which my colleague proceeds to put out but as we make our way further into the property you could see the kid's bedroom's been set on fire, the bedroom next to that there's a man holding a woman hostage with a knife to her throat and two very small children in front of her on the bed.
"In the melee, I got stabbed in the hand which severed four tendons requiring surgery, but luckily we managed to contain him, get him in cuffs and then get the family out, get the woman and the two children out to safety."
PC Langmead added: "It was pure chaos but I think we just ran on adrenalin at that point and you don't focus on yourself it was just a case of just coming into shock after when you come outside and get out of the situation."
Zoë Wakefield, Hampshire Police Federation chair, said: “The combined quick thinking and actions of all officers involved, led by PCs Pawley and Davies, undoubtedly saved lives and saved property, and what could have had a horrific ending resulted in three saved lives and a disturbed and dangerous individual in handcuffs.”
Chief Constable Scott Chilton, of Hampshire Constabulary, said there was ‘no question’ that the ‘brave actions’ of the officers who responded to the call ‘saved lives’.
“Despite being confronted with such a dangerous situation, these officers did not hesitate to put themselves in harm’s way, knowing the lives of a mother and her young children were relying on their swift and decisive action,” he said.
“Congratulations to the three of you and we wish you the best of luck at the awards ceremony later this year.”
You can call the freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit nationaldahelpline.org.uk to speak to someone online.
Dominic Smithers