Officer nominated for bravery award after saving colleague set on fire in Newquay
PC Darral Mares was trying to evict a man from land in Newquay in 2020 when he was doused in petrol next to a naked flame
A Devon & Cornwall Police officer who saved the life of a colleague who was set on fire has been nominated for a National Police Bravery Award.
PC Darral Mares was trying to evict a man from land in Newquay in 2020 when he was doused in petrol next to a naked flame.
Despite being covered in petrol himself, PC Alan Lenton dragged his partner to safety and gave first aid.
He has received several awards since and is now due to attend a ceremony in London in July.
What happened?
PC Alan Lenton and colleague PC Darral Mares were acting in support of two bailiffs on 11th September 2020 as they tried to evict a man from land near Newquay.
The bailiffs had twice before tried to serve the eviction notice but had been met with violent threats and a refusal to comply.
PC Lenton and PC Mares then accompanied the bailiffs on their third attempt to evict him later that morning, but the man still refused to pack up and leave the site.
The incident escalated extremely quickly when the man chillingly threatened to set the officers on fire. He backed up his threats by opening a glass bottle with petrol inside it and standing close to a naked flame which he had fired up from a home-made cooker.
Realising the danger they were all in, the officers rushed forward to prevent the man from carrying out his threats.
However, as they did so, the man managed to douse them in petrol from the bottle he was holding, which horrifically instantly ignited PC Mares into flames.
PC Lenton knew he had to act at once to try and save his colleague's life, and despite having the petrol on his uniform and at risk of catching light himself, he dragged his partner away from the main fire and into some long grass.
He then rolled PC Mares around on the ground to extinguish the flames while the bailiffs stepped in to pin the man to the ground.
Once PC Lenton had removed PC Mares' burnt clothing and had administered first aid, he went to the assistance of the bailiffs to get the man fully under control.
The man later received a 10-year custodial sentence for his actions, which the sentencing judge described as “wicked, deliberate and extremely violent”.
"It could have ended tragically for both officers..."
PC Lenton has also received a Chief Constable's High Commendation, a Commendation from the judge in the case and a Society For The Protection Of Life From Fire Award.
Devon and Cornwall Police Federation Chair Andy Berry said PC Lenton fully deserved his National Bravery Awards nomination.
“This was incredible bravery and quick-thinking and it’s highly likely that Alan saved his colleague's life during this horrific incident," he said.
"He went to help his partner while covered in petrol himself; it could have ended tragically for both officers, but Alan put danger to one side to do what he needed to do.
"Being able to think clearly enough to roll PC Mares in the long grass and get the burning clothing off him shows real clear thinking in a highly challenging situation.
"It was excellent police work, and Alan is a very worthy nominee for The National Police Bravery Awards."
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 a nominee, PC Lenton will join colleagues from across the country in attending a reception and an evening awards ceremony in London in July.
The awards are sponsored by Police Mutual.