Ipswich man wins national bravery award

A courageous man who protected a stranger from a violent attacker has been honoured at the National Police Chiefs Council’s annual Police Public Bravery Awards.

Robert Bray was not only one of the gold winners, but also the Binney Award winner.

Robert Bray with Suffolk Chief Constable Rachel Kearton and Chief Constable Gavin Stephens who chairs the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC). 

The awards took place at The Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield yesterday evening (Thursday 14 November).

The awards honour selfless members of the public who have placed themselves in dangerous situations, protected others, defended communities, prevented crime or actively assisted police.

Robert was driving with his wife on Playford Road, Ipswich, on 19 December 2023.

Mr Bray with his wife Samantha and daughter Chloe

He saw a woman trying to get away from a man, who was swinging a hammer, as they crossed the road.

Robert stopped to try and protect the woman, whereupon the man swung his hammer and struck the car twice. The impact was so severe the hammer penetrated the bonnet and entered the engine bay.

Robert then began grappling with the aggressive man, who still had the hammer and hit him in the forehead, causing blood to stream into his eyes. He was hit again but successfully got him to the ground.

There the attacker spat in Robert’s face. Despite his injuries, Robert managed to restrain the man until police arrived.

Police found the man had significant mental health conditions and had stolen a hammer, smashing the window of a house and assaulting the woman.

The suspect was found to be too mentally unwell to face a trial in court. He was held in a mental health facility to receive treatment.

The Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police Lauren Poultney, who hosted the awards ceremony, said: “Robert acted out of sheer goodwill when he witnessed the aftermath of an incident, attempting to protect a complete stranger.
“He is a shining example of why these awards are so important.

“Every day we ask our police officers to put themselves between harm and the public.

“Even with training, safety equipment and support from other police officers, this takes great bravery to deliver.

“But when members of the public support another person - often a stranger - or support the police in their jobs they do so without the same training or knowledge.

“This outstanding courage needs to be recognised and it is my honour to do so through the Police Public Bravery Awards.”

Robert, like all the gold award winners, was given a gold-plated, solid silver medal created by The Sheffield Assay Office. He was also presented with the Binney Medal, which is awarded to the person whose nomination stands out as exceptional above the others.

The Binney Medal is in remembrance of Sir Ralph Binney, a retired naval captain who died while trying to stop an armed robbery.

Winners on the night also included people who saved others from knife attacks, jumped into rivers to rescue strangers and assisted police struggling to detain violent suspects.

Chief Constable of Suffolk Constabulary Rachel Kearton who attended the awards said: “It was a great honour to accompany Robert to the ceremony and it was wonderful to see him accept his very well-deserved honour that marks such outstanding bravery.

“It is truly humbling to hear about not just Robert’s courage, but all of those selfless members of the public who put themselves in some potentially very dangerous positions.

"In the case of Robert, he was subjected to some nasty injuries, but remained determined to restrain the offender and protect a complete stranger. Such awards and hearing such stories of bravery are extremely life affirming as it clearly shows there are very courageous and compassionate people in our communities who will step forward to protect and support those who are in dangerous or difficult situations.”