Bravery award for police officer who fought Buxton knifeman

A police sergeant who tackled a knife-wielding man in Buxton has been honoured for his quick-thinking and bravery by Derbyshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
Sgt Trevor Steed is congratulated by Derbyshire PCC Hardyal Dhindsa.Sgt Trevor Steed is congratulated by Derbyshire PCC Hardyal Dhindsa.
Sgt Trevor Steed is congratulated by Derbyshire PCC Hardyal Dhindsa.

Sergeant Trevor Steed was presented with a bravery certificate after helping overpower the knifeman on the Market Place, suffering a wound to his arm in the process.

The officer was in Buxton on September 5, 2015, after completing a full shift looking after football fans away in Chesterfield, when he was informed of a man acting suspiciously on the Market Place.

When the officer and his colleagues arrived, they faced a man wielding a knife who turned the weapon on Sgt Steed as he tried to intervene.

He said: “I had heard on the radio other officers were busy, so I went along and saw the man inhale butane gas.

“When he saw me he produced a knife and said if I leave him alone he will leave me alone. I couldn’t do that, there were so many people in the area that he had to be stopped.”

Sgt Steed, 42, who is a major with the army reserves and has previously completed tours of Afghanistan, said his training immediately kicked in.

He said: “Adrenaline is a wonderful thing and I just became very focused on calming the man down.”

Defending himself from slashing attacks, Sgt Steed managed to keep the knifeman occupied and safely away from members of the public until he was eventually cornered and surrendered the weapon.

“While I was dealing with him and after I had been cut it did cross my mind if it was all worth it, but I just did what any other police officer would do in that situation which was to keep people safe,” said Sgt Steed.

The attacker was later jailed for six years and the officer has since returned to full duties.

PCC Hardyal Dhindsa said: “I’m full of admiration for Sgt Steed’s bravery and selfless actions which brought this dangerous incident to a safe conclusion.

“Had he not intervened when he did, it could’ve been a very different story and it is testament to this officer’s courage that more people were not injured that night.”