Brave Cops Tackle Armed Man in Surlingham Pub Incident
PC Leanne Payne and PC Joseph Konieczny faced a terrifying showdown at a Surlingham pub on May 23, 2021. They were called in after reports surfaced of a man dressed in military-style gear, brandishing what looked like a rifle.
Man Armed with Imitation Gun Wants to Be Shot
The suspect aimed to provoke police into shooting him. He even warned a pub employee, “I will come into the pub in a minute, I will be armed.” When the officers arrived, they were met by a man holding what appeared to be a real weapon, sparking what they described as a “nightmare.”
Thanks to a lucky slip by the suspect, officers seized the moment. They deployed a non-lethal baton round, hitting him in the leg before arresting and detaining him. The man later faced multiple charges and was sentenced to four years and four months in prison.
Judge Condemns Suspect’s Dangerous Plot
The judge slammed the man’s plan, saying he was “clearly intending a fatal action” and had posed a severe psychological risk to those present, as well as endangering his own life.
Heroic Officers Receive High Praise
“What incredible work from Leanne and Joseph,” said Sam Hawkins, Secretary of the Norfolk Police Federation. “They feared for their lives, convinced the weapon was real. But their calm professionalism and quick thinking disarmed and detained the suspect while protecting others.”
“Leanne and Joseph exemplify the best of the police service – they deserve all of the praise and recognition.”
National Police Bravery Awards Nominees
PC Payne and PC Konieczny will attend the prestigious National Police Bravery Awards ceremony in London this July. They are among 77 nominees from 39 police forces across England and Wales, honoured for outstanding courage on or off duty.
