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PC earns bravery award for restraining Bedford knife man

Bedfordshire Police PC Vetere holding her awardBedfordshire Police
PC Vetere also received the bravery award from the British Association for Women in Policing

A Bedfordshire Police officer has been awarded for bravery after risking her life to save a mother and child.

PC Patrizia Vetere forced entry to a house in Biddenham, near Bedford, in November 2020, and managed to restrain a violent, armed man.

The officer was off duty at home when she responded to a disturbance at a neighbouring house.

PC Vetere received the award from the British Association for Women in Policing.

The organisation raises awareness of issues affecting women in the police service.

It heard how PC Vetere managed to safely detain the suspect for 20 minutes until her on-duty colleagues arrived.

Bedfordshire Police PC Vetere smiling in her uniform.Bedfordshire Police
PC Vetere, who has served in the police for more than 15 years, says she was just doing her job
BAWP/Hilton Studios PC Vetere being presented her awardBAWP/Hilton Studios
The award was presented by Bryn Hughes, father of murdered police officer Nicola Hughes

Bedfordshire Police Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy described her actions as "nothing short of heroic".

He explained that had she not intervened "the victim would have highly likely sustained life-changing injuries, if not fatal".

PC Vetere, who arrived on the scene without protective equipment, said any of her colleagues would've done the same.

She said: "There's so many of us that risk our lives and do things without even thinking about it."

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