A courageous act of selflessness and bravery by Sussex Police Sergeant Alec Barrett has earned him a nomination for the national Police Bravery Awards 2024. Despite suffering a life-changing injury, Sergeant Barrett’s heroic intervention stopped a gang of violent assailants from further harming members of the public.
On April 2, 2023, reports flooded in to the police about a group of individuals rampaging through Queens Road in Brighton, randomly assaulting innocent bystanders. Single-handedly on patrol, Sergeant Barrett witnessed the chaos unfolding and immediately sprang into action.
With no regard for his own safety, Sergeant Barrett confronted the gang, intervening to protect the public from their wanton violence. Despite being vastly outnumbered, he bravely apprehended one of the assailants, who had already attacked multiple individuals.
However, in the midst of his courageous efforts, Sergeant Barrett found himself under attack from another member of the group. Despite sustaining severe blows to his face, he valiantly continued to hold onto the assailant he had detained, preventing further harm to the public.
Despite suffering a fractured eye socket and enduring a life-altering injury, Sergeant Barrett’s actions undoubtedly prevented further assaults and ensured the safety of numerous individuals that night.
Raffaele Cioffi, Chair of the Sussex Police Federation, hailed Sergeant Barrett’s selflessness and sacrifice, emphasizing the courage he displayed in the face of danger. Chief Constable Jo Shiner praised Sergeant Barrett’s unwavering dedication to protecting the community, highlighting his professionalism and commitment to service.
Sergeant Alec Barrett’s nomination for the Police Bravery Awards 2024 stands as a testament to his extraordinary bravery and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by police officers to keep the public safe.
