This is the shocking moment a hero police officer tackled a knifeman during an attempted murder.
PC Nicola Crabbe has been nominated for the National Bravery Awards 2025 her brave action in detaining the man in Devizes, Wiltshire.
On Saturday 29 June, 2024, Wiltshire Police received multiple calls about a man chasing another along a main road into Devizes town centre.
One man was bleeding badly from his head and back. PC Crabbe and her PCSO colleague arrived at the scene, where they found two men fighting in the street.
Without concern for her safety, PC Crabbe separated the two males and managed to detain the attacker, who was armed with a knife.
He was later arrested, and convicted of attempted murder. The judge hearing the trial sent the offender to a psychiatric unit and said the police officer and members of the public who helped with first aid should be commended.
The victim, who had been stabbed, was airlifted to the hospital and made a full recovery.
CCTV footage shows the moment PC Crabbe grabbed the knifeman as he crossed the road.
He grabbed her back and they began to tussle each other before PC Crabbe manages to get him against the wall of a shop.
She said: ‘It was a hot day, it was midday on Saturday, it was so busy.
‘I gave him a quick scan, saw the knife in his right hand.
‘He came towards me to get past me, in my opinion to get to the victim who, I didn’t realise, had collapsed on the floor behind me.
‘I just thought I can’t let that happen and we ended up tussling, toing and froing, my hair got pulled. It was a bit of a blur really.
PC Crabbe added: ‘We received a call saying there were two men fighting, covered in blood outside the butchers on Sidmouth Street.
When we arrived a member of the public pointed out the man with a knife. I am not taser trained so was technically unarmed but it was a hot day, it was midday, it was a Saturday, the area was busy, so there was no thought to it really.
‘I think highlighting the good work officers do is really important because we get a lot of negative attention. I’m incredibly honoured to have been nominated for this award but it will always be tainted because someone else had to suffer.’
Her award also commends another act of bravery just a month earlier.
On the morning of 21 May 2024, Wiltshire PC Crabbe responded to a 999 call reporting a person floating near a bridge along the Kennet and Avon canal.
PC Crabbe and her PCSO colleague quickly arrived at the scene to find a person face down in the water, about 15 feet from the canal bank.
Without hesitation, PC Crabbe removed her operational kit and jumped into the canal. Sadly, the woman died later in hospital.
PC Crabbe said: ‘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.’
Chief Constable Catherine said: ‘I am incredibly proud to endorse PC Nicola Crabbe, who has been nominated at the national level for her exceptional bravery and dedication to public service.
‘In two distinct and life-threatening incidents, PC Crabbe’s actions exemplified the true spirit of policing.
‘Whether diving into a deep canal to rescue a person in distress or intervening in a dangerous knife attack to protect the public, she acted with remarkable courage and professionalism.
‘These incidents reflect not only her personal bravery but also her unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of others.
‘PC Crabbe’s quick thinking, combined with the support of her colleagues and members of the public, undoubtedly saved lives.
‘Her courage is a true reflection of the highest standards we aspire to in Wiltshire Police.
‘I wholeheartedly commend PC Crabbe for her bravery, I thank her for her passionate commitment to the communities of Wiltshire’