Banbury park stabbing: Police and members of public commended

Two police officers and three members of the public have been commended for being "instrumental" in saving the life of a man stabbed in a park.

The 21-year-old was stabbed repeatedly in People's Park, Banbury, Oxfordshire, on the afternoon of 11 June 2022.

He sustained life-threatening injuries in the attack, including a punctured lung.

The 17-year-old boy who stabbed him was later sentenced to 12 years in a youth offenders institution.

The awards were given to Thames Valley Police PCs Beth Foster and Alex Ayckbourn, as well as Darren Nicholson, Ivan Dinev, and a woman, Samantha, who is not being fully named.

Samantha used first aid items from her backpack, located the wounds, applied direct pressure, and placed the victim in the recovery position.

She gave Mr Nicholson instructions on how to help, and he applied pressure on further wounds to the victim's back until emergency services arrived.

Mr Dinev took off a tracksuit top so it could be used on the wounds and called 999, and continued to provide updates to the call handler.

Once PC Foster arrived on the scene she applied bandages while also managing the crime site and speaking to witnesses.

PC Ayckbourn also helped with the first aid, and spoke to the victim to maintain his response and gather information.

Chief Constable Jason Hogg presented the awards at a ceremony in Holdsworth Hall, Sulhamstead, Berkshire.

On receiving her award PC Ayckbourn said she was "really honoured" but was "just carrying out my duty".

PC Foster said: "Incidents like this are what we join the job for. I am so pleased that the victim has made a full recovery."

Mr Nicholson added: "Witnessing that event... is something that I will never forget.

"I feel grateful and honoured to be accepting this award."

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