Home / Crime and Justice / Officers Disarm Rioters, Win Bravery Award
Officers Disarm Rioters, Win Bravery Award
5 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Two officers disarmed protestors during a violent riot in Hanley.
- They were initially deployed as liaison officers without protective gear.
- The officers received the uniformed hero award at a ceremony.
In a powerful display of bravery, two Staffordshire Police officers were honored for their actions during a significant riot in Hanley on August 3rd, 2024. PCs Bethany Cottrell and Natalie Millward demonstrated exceptional courage when they ran toward a violent crowd, successfully disarming protestors.
Their decisive actions occurred despite the pair initially being deployed as police liaison officers, meaning they were not equipped with standard protective gear for such a volatile situation. They were later instructed to withdraw due to the lack of personal protective equipment.
