Brave Cops Face Hammer-Wielding Maniac Outside Police Station
Just after midnight on September 17, 2020, PC Rykki Townsend and a fellow officer clocked off at Mansfield House Police Station. But their journey back to the cars took a terrifying turn.
They spotted a man in a high-vis police jacket and black balaclava loitering in the car park, clutching a hammer. When the man asked PC Townsend if he was a police officer, the answer was yes — but the encounter quickly spiralled.
Threats and Danger Without Backup
The man turned hostile, lashing out with death threats and refusing to let the officers leave. PC Townsend managed to jump into his car and start the engine, offering a brief escape before the man backed off towards the gates.
But neither officer could make a run for it — they had no PPE or radios, and the risk to nearby passersby was too great.
Thinking fast, PC Townsend called 999 from his car. His colleague moved his vehicle to keep the aggressive man opposite, now wielding a knife and warning he’d “kill and dump” an officer in a ditch.
Cool Cops Talk Down Violent Threat
Remaining calm under fire, the officers kept the man talking. Thanks to steady updates from PC Townsend, the control room scrambled help. When backup arrived, the suspect was arrested, found carrying multiple knives and too violent for standard custody.
The court later found the man guilty of possessing an offensive weapon and sentenced him to four years behind bars.
Police Federation Hails Officers’ Bravery
“Rykki and his colleague stayed calm in a heart-stopping situation,” said Adam Commons, Chair of the Leicestershire Police Federation. “They acted quickly without PPE, secured an emergency response and prevented a tragic outcome.
We are proud of this dedicated duo’s courage and professionalism.”
PC Townsend and his partner are now nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards and will join a London ceremony this July to be honoured for their heroic work.
