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BBC News
11-07-2025
- BBC News
Merseyside Police officers who confronted Southport killer honoured
Three police officers who confronted Southport knife attacker Axel Rudakubana have been honoured for their Gregory Gillespie, PC Luke Holden and PCSO Timothy Parry were the first officers to arrive on the scene at the Taylor Swift-themed workshop on 29 July last then 17, murdered Alice Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven and injured 10 others including eight three Merseyside Police officers, who approached the killer as he was standing at the top of a flight of stairs holding a large knife, were recognised at the Police Federation of England and Wales 2025 bravery awards. Sgt Gillespie was the first to arrive at Hart Street in Southport and he described seeing "chaos", with "extremely panicked" people in the directed paramedics to a seriously injured child before being joined by PC Holden and PCSO witnessed members of the public running away from the dance studio carrying young children. 'Split-second decisions' Armed with a baton and a Taser, Sgt Gillespie and PC Holden entered the building while PCSO Parry covered the found Rudakubana, then aged 17, holding a large knife at the top of the approached while shouting at him to drop the knife. PCSO Parry also ran in to who was jailed for a minimum of 52 years in January, dropped the weapon and was handcuffed and arrested after the trio struck him with a Federation of England and Wales national chairwoman Tiff Lynch said of all the winners: "Whether confronting violent attackers, rescuing individuals from life-threatening situations, or making split-second decisions under immense pressure, these officers have shown exceptional courage and selflessness". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Independent
10-07-2025
- The Independent
Hero officers who confronted Southport killer honoured for bravery
Three police officers who confronted Southport knife attacker Axel Rudakubana during his killing spree have been honoured for their bravery. Sergeant Gregory Gillespie, Constable Luke Holden and police community support officer (PCSO) Timothy Parry were the first officers to arrive on the scene at the Taylor Swift-themed workshop on July 29 last year. Rudakubana, 18, who murdered Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; and injured 10 others, including eight children, was confronted by the officers as he stood at the top of a flight of stairs holding a large knife. The Merseyside Police officers were the 'overall winners' of the Police Federation of England and Wales' (PFEW) 2025 bravery awards held on Thursday. The PFEW said Sgt Gillespie was the first to arrive at Hart Street in Southport and described seeing 'chaos', with 'extremely panicked' people in the street. He directed paramedics to a seriously injured child before being joined by Pc Holden and PCSO Parry. They witnessed members of the public running away from the dance studio carrying young children. Armed with a baton and a Taser, Sgt Gillespie and Pc Holden entered the building while PCSO Parry covered the exit. They found Rudakubana, then aged 17, holding a large knife at the top of the stairs and approached while shouting at him to drop the knife. PCSO Parry also ran in to assist. Rudakubana, who was jailed for a minimum of 52 years in January, dropped the weapon and was handcuffed and arrested after the trio struck with a baton and kicked the teenager to get him under control. PFEW national chairwoman Tiff Lynch said of all the winners: 'Whether confronting violent attackers, rescuing individuals from life-threatening situations, or making split-second decisions under immense pressure, these officers have shown exceptional courage and selflessness'. A public inquiry into the attack began on Tuesday to identify changes that urgently need to be made to protect the most vulnerable from other 'horrors', the chairman said. Chairman Sir Adrian Fulford opened the inquiry at Liverpool Town Hall into what he described as 'one of the most egregious crimes in our country's history'. In his opening statement, Sir Adrian said: 'As a society we are not helpless when confronted with individuals who are known to be contemplating acts of such depravity and although no solution will be foolproof, we can identify all of the robust steps which should be taken to protect ourselves, and particularly the most vulnerable, from horrors of this kind. 'And this must be undertaken at speed, to provide answers for the victims and their families and to identify all of the changes that urgently need to be made.'
The Independent
09-05-2025
- The Independent
Officers who confronted Southport attacker nominated for bravery awards
Three police officers who confronted and detained Southport knife attacker Axel Rudakubana have been nominated for bravery awards. Sergeant Gregory Gillespie, Constable Luke Holden and PCSO Timothy Parry were the first officers to arrive on the scene of the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed workshop on July 29 last year. Rudakubana, 18, who murdered Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and injured 10 others, was confronted by the officers as he stood at the top of a flight of stairs holding a large knife. The three men have been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025 after facing what Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy described as 'unimaginable horror'. Ms Kennedy said: 'As first on the scene and in those frantic initial moments, they were unaware of the horrific events taking place but they dismissed any thoughts for their own safety, bravely detaining the offender while protecting and helping the victims and those inside. 'We are all immensely proud of Ps Gillespie, Pc Holden and PCSO Parry for their courage, professionalism and swift actions in such horrendous circumstances. For the officers to be recognised in this way is true testament to them all.' According to the nomination, Mr Gillespie was first to arrive at Hart Street after a radio call at midday to reports of a male attacking children with a knife. He described seeing 'chaos' when he arrived and directing paramedics to a seriously injured child. He was joined by Mr Holden and Mr Parry and the officers witnessed members of the public running away from the dance studio carrying young children. Armed with a baton and a Taser, Mr Gillespie and Mr Holden entered the building, while Mr Parry covered the exit, and found Rudakubana holding a large knife at the top of the stairs. The officers approached the suspect, while shouting at him to drop the knife, and Mr Parry ran in to assist. Rudakubana, who was jailed for a minimum of 52 years in January, dropped the knife and, after officers struck him with a baton and kicked him to get him under control, was handcuffed and arrested. Merseyside Police Federation chairman Chris McGlade said: ' Police officers join the service to keep our communities safe and prevent them from harm. 'In the face of the most challenging and perilous of circumstances, these three officers exemplified this commitment. 'Without hesitation, they prioritised public safety and demonstrated the highest levels of bravery. Their professionalism was unparalleled, and it is fitting that we acknowledge and honour their actions accordingly.' The Police Bravery Awards will be held on July 10.
