Shropshire Star

Stabbed raid hero to get award

A Shropshire man who was stabbed when he tackled masked men as they attempted to rob a Bridgnorth shop was due to be honoured with a top police award today. A Shropshire man who was stabbed when he tackled masked men as they attempted to rob a Bridgnorth shop was due to be honoured with a top police award today. Stephen Kendrick was one of four people from across the country who carried out extraordinary acts of bravery to be recognised at an awards ceremony. They were due to be presented with a gold medal at the Provincial Police Awards in a ceremony at the annual conference of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Manchester today. Mr Kendrick, 47, of Six Ashes, near Bridgnorth, was stabbed five times when two masked men armed with a firearm and a knife raided the Spar shop in Lodge Lane on November 19, 2005. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star 

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They were due to be presented with a gold medal at the Provincial Police Awards in a ceremony at the annual conference of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Manchester today.

Mr Kendrick, 47, of Six Ashes, near Bridgnorth, was stabbed five times when two masked men armed with a firearm and a knife raided the Spar shop in Lodge Lane on November 19, 2005.

Mr Kendrick, the only customer in the shop at the time, was stabbed while trying to prevent the men's escape.

But he continued his efforts and even threw jars of sauce at the men from the shelves.

His 81-year-old father Stan said he deserved recognition for his selfless actions.

"I am very proud of him and he was very brave," he said.

South Yorkshire Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes, honorary secretary of the awards, said: "This ceremony will be a moving and emotional occasion as we honour those members of the public who stepped forward in the face of danger to help others.

"The good done by everyday people is often ignored, and Acpo is pleased to be able to formally recognise at least a few of those who act in a courageous and public-spirited way, fighting crime and saving lives.

"We are proud to commend them on behalf of the police service. They are an inspiration and example to us all."

Acpo president Ken Jones added: "What these people have done shows that, despite what we sometimes read and hear, people are prepared to stand up and be counted when it comes to confronting criminals and anti-social acts.

"Policing in the UK can only work with the active and energetic support of the people we serve.

"Some might cross the street and look the other way when things are going wrong.

"Our winners didn't do that - they went towards it and confronted it, and for that they deserve to be publicly congratulated."

By Simon Alton