Incident that won officer a bravery award a 'blur'

A police officer who has just won a regional bravery award called one of the incidents she was nominated for a "blur".

Last June PC Nicola Crabbe from Wiltshire Police managed to detain a man armed with a knife who had already attacked someone in Devizes town centre.

The victim was bleeding badly, but made a full recovery, while the attacker was sent to a psychiatric unit after a trial.

When nominated for the National Police Federation award, PC Crabbe said she was "incredibly honoured" but added "it will always be tainted because someone else had to suffer".

Wiltshire Police's Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: "PC Crabbe's quick thinking, combined with the support of her colleagues and members of the public, undoubtedly saved lives."

She added that the officer "acted with remarkable courage and professionalism".

PC Crabbe explained it was a busy, hot Saturday when the incident happened.

There had been reports of men fighting, one chasing another and blood outside the butchers shop on Sidmouth Street in Devizes.

PC Crabbe and a PCSO colleague were the first officers at the scene.

"No thought to it really - I gave him a quick scan, saw the knife in his right hand" she said.

Then it looked as though he was trying to get past her to get to the victim.

"I just thought 'I can't let that happen'. We ended up tussling, toing and froing, my hair got pulled.

"It was a bit of a blur really."

Despite being unarmed, PC Crabbe, her colleague and a member of the public managed to detain the man, though he struggled until backup arrived and used a taser.

PC Crabbe also tried to save someone in May last year, responding to a call about a person floating in the the Kennet and Avon canal.

Quickly removing her kit, she jumped into the canal, but the woman died later in hospital.

"With the help of my PCSO colleague we pulled her out of the canal, performed CPR, and managed to get her back for a short time.

"It was just long enough for her family to get to the hospital where she was taken, and to sadly say their goodbyes" said PC Crabbe.

While PC Crabbe won for the South West region, the overall winners of the National Police Bravey awards were the three police officers who confronted Southport knife attacker Axel Rudakubana.

Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.