Six police officers to receive bravery awards after Brierley Hill crossbow attack that left two people dead

The West Midlands Police officers were on the scene of a vicious fight between two drug gangs in Pensnett Road on February 20 this year, which left two people dead and others injured.

The officers are all to receive Royal Humane Society Testimonials on Parchment for their bravery, and resuscitation certificates for their fight to save the lives of the injured – and have been praised by the society’s secretary, Andrew Chapman, as “true heroes.”

Speaking as he announced the awards Mr Chapman said: "They could easily have been killed or injured but they braved all in their fight to bring the deadly situation under control."

A gang of men have been accused of trying to rob a cannabis factory in Brierley Hill – but when they arrived they found it being defended by the growers who were in the house next door, police say.

Assailants

A battle with crossbows, swords and knives broke out.

The officers who are to receive the awards are: Inspector James Lewis and Pc Gary Whiting from West Bromwich Police; Pcs Simon Day, Liam Gilhooley and Jamie Fellows of Brierley Hill Police; Pc Gez Cotter from Wednesbury Police; and Pcs Leon Thomas and Robert Dent from Aston Police.

Mr Chapman added: "It was a chaotic scene to manage and officers were unsure whether armed assailants were still present. Thankfully they had in fact all made off by this stage but the police had no way of knowing this initially and no way of knowing that they would not then become the focus of attack.

"Situations like this bring home the true horror of what police can be called on to face, and don’t hesitate to face in the line of duty. They were all true heroes and richly deserve the awards they are to receive."

A total of 13 men have been charged in relation to burglary and three men have been charged with the murders of 19-year-old Khuzaimah Douglas and Waseem Ramzan, aged 36.

Their trial is expected to take place next year.