North Wales Police officers honoured at National Bravery Awards

A team of police officers who confronted a man with a loaded gun have won a national Police Bravery Award for their courageous actions.

During an incident in April 2023, a 999 call was made to the control room reporting an ongoing domestic incident at a house in Holyhead involving a man with a gun and his vulnerable mother.

The first officers at the scene were unarmed - Sergeant Dylan Thomas, PC Rachel Roberts, PC Rob Burgess, PC Dion Hughes and PC Rob Williamson – and as they arrived, they could hear Bobby Lee Hughes shouting for them to back off, as he had a gun. Without hesitation, putting themselves in harms way, the officers entered the property, and were confronted with the firearm pointing directly at them.

Showing quick thinking and real courage, officers discharged tasers towards him. This caused Hughes to fall to his front, but before officers could reach him, he crawled away into a bedroom. The officers were unable to tell if he was still in possession of the firearm, but nevertheless continued forwards, entering the bedroom where he was safely arrested.

On later examination, it was found that the gun had been made ready to be fired.

Following the incident, Hughes was subsequently charged with possession of an air rifle with intent to cause fear of violence and received a two-year suspended sentence in August 2023.

Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said: “Policing is a job like no other carried out by the most extraordinary people.

“I am extremely proud of Sgt Dylan Thomas, PC Rachel Roberts, PC Rob Burgess, PC Dion Hughes and PC Robert Williamson who have won the nation Police Bravery Award for the Wales region.

“They selflessly ran towards danger without hesitation, putting the victim’s safety before their own.

“Their brave actions to detain a man threatening them with a firearm was outstanding and they deserve to be formally recognised. They represent the very best of policing, and I am incredibly proud of them. Congratulations team.”

Watch the officers speak about the incident here.