Sussex Police officers nominated for bravery awards after stopping ‘massacre’ at Gatwick Airport

Two Sussex Police officers who stopped a potential ‘massacre’ at Gatwick Airport have been nominated for national bravery awards.
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Police Constables Matthew Parnell and Sean Grainger responded to a knife-wielding man at the airport who was threatening to ‘cause a massacre’ in the early hours of June 3, last year.

According to the Sussex Police Federation, the officers arrived after staff had evacuated the area and entered the south terminal to confront the man.

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The suspect came towards them brandishing a knife in each hand, while PC Grainger aimed his Taser and PC Parnell pointed his G36 rifle.

Gatwick Airport, North TerminalGatwick Airport, North Terminal
Gatwick Airport, North Terminal

Despite throwing down his knives, the man continued to approach the officers, so PC Grainger Tasered him before colleagues arrived to help make the arrest.

The police federation said that at Lewes Crown Court earlier this month the suspect, Adam Russell, admitted possessing a weapon and affray and was ordered to take part in mental health treatment.

Both officers have now been nominated for The National Police Bravery Awards.

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Sussex Police Federation Chairman Daren Egan said the courageous officers had demonstrated exemplary policing and saved lives – including that of the suspect.

“PC Parnell and PC Grainger were incredibly brave to run towards the danger and get this individual under arrest as quickly as possible,” he said. “They could not have known the assailant’s intentions – especially given where the incident took place, being an international airport on a busy summer’s day.

“Police officers have to make split-second decisions which can be then looked over with the power of hindsight. So the fact these officers managed to calmly and courageously control and contain the incident without any loss of life is an incredible achievement.

“I am certain the people of Sussex are very grateful to them. We’re certainly very proud of them both, and they are worthy nominees for this award.”

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The National Police Bravery Awards honour officers from across England and Wales who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.

As nominees, PC Grainger and PC Parnell will attend a daytime reception and evening awards ceremony in London in July, 2021.

The 2020 event – the 25th National Police Bravery Awards - had been scheduled to take place this past summer but had to be cancelled due to Coronavirus.

Nevertheless the Police Federation of England and Wales wanted to take the opportunity to highlight the fantastic work of all 94 nominees from across the country online from today (September 24).

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John Apter, national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “We are incredibly proud of all the nominees from across England and Wales. The actions of these courageous officers provide a small snapshot of the amazing work our colleagues carry out day in and day out.

“PC Matthew Parnell and PC Sean Grainger are heroes. We have seen how – sadly – some public places can be targeted for terrorist attacks and that would have been running through these officers’ minds as they ran towards the danger. But they nullified it without any loss of life. Simply great police work.

We are very proud of them.

“As a Police Federation, we wanted to make sure these brave officers received the recognition they deserve in the year their actions were meant to be celebrated. And we look forward to seeing them all in person – and revealing regional and national winners - when the time is right in 2021.”