Brave Cops Face Hammer-Wielding Maniac Outside Police Station
Just after midnight on September 17, 2020, PC Rykki Townsend and a fellow officer were finishing their shifts at Mansfield House Police Station when they spotted a terrifying figure in the car park.
A man in a high-vis police jacket and black balaclava stood clutching a hammer. He approached PC Townsend, asking if he was a police officer. When Townsend confirmed, the man snapped, threatening to kill them both and refusing to let the officers leave.
Standoff Without PPE or Radios
Trapped without protective gear or radios, the officers couldn’t drive away and were amid passing members of the public. PC Townsend managed to get into his car and call 999, providing crucial updates while the attacker lurked just beyond the gates.
The man suddenly whipped out a knife, threatening to murder the officers and dump his body in a ditch. Calm and collected, the officers kept him talking until backup arrived.
Knives, Threats and a Four-Year Jail Sentence
Police found multiple knives on the man when they arrested him. Too violent for custody, he was charged and remanded by the court. He was later found guilty of possessing offensive weapons and sentenced to four years in prison.
Leicestershire Police Praise Quick Thinking and Bravery
“Rykki and his colleague remained calm under extreme pressure,” said Adam Commons, Chair of the Leicestershire Police Federation. “They acted swiftly without PPE to secure an emergency response that ended with the suspect’s arrest. Without their professionalism and courage, this could have been a tragedy.”
PC Townsend and his colleague are now nominees for the National Police Bravery Awards, set to attend a London ceremony this July, honoured for their exceptional bravery on the front line.
