Heroic officer attends national awards after skilfully disarming gunman

An officer’s actions have been praised and nationally recognised after he swiftly disarmed a man threatening to shoot his mother.

Sergeant Graham Yare had responded to a 999 call relating to a man in possession of a firearm and threatening his own mother in Gateshead.

Yare, along with PCs Joe Rosselli and Carlo Charlton, were at the scene and spotted the offender in the backyard.

The brave officer wasted no time, scaling the properties fence and disarming the man who was said to have been holding an Uzi submachine gun.

Shots had been reported at the scene, with call handlers hearing shots in the background of an emergency call.

The weapon was later found to be an air replica, but Sgt. Yare had no way of knowing at the time, with his quick response in the face of danger awarding him a nomination for a National Police Bravery Award.

Yare, who has more than 17 years police experience, attended the awards ceremony in London alongside Chief Constable Winton Keenen QPM and Inspector Jim Gray, who initially nominated the Sgt for his award.

Although Sgt Yare didn’t pick up the award, his outstanding actions were celebrated alongside other brave nominees from across the country.

Sgt Yare said: “This was definitely not an average shift, but as a response officer you have to be ready for anything, and my instincts just kicked in.

“I had no idea the firearm wasn’t genuine but in that moment you have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and my number one priority is to keep the public safe.

“I am genuinely humbled to have been nominated and it was an honour to be in London, and to be recognised alongside so many other police officers.

“I was just doing my job that day, safe in the knowledge I’d been trained well and knew my team would have my back no matter what – and that’s a true privilege.”

Chief Constable Winton Keenen QPM said: “I am privileged to lead a Force where high levels of resilience, bravery and fortitude are demonstrated on a daily basis and I have come to expect exceptional behaviour as the norm as our officers, staff and volunteers seek to keep our communities safe and fight crime.

“However, even when set against so many other significant demonstrations of bravery and selflessness, the actions of Sgt Graham Yare stand out as being truly exceptional, demonstrating incredible bravery in the service of others and was quite correctly recognised in the form of a nomination for a Police Bravery Award.

“Graham is a credit to policing as a whole and particularly to Northumbria Police and the fantastic region of the North East he represents so well; doing so on behalf of so many of his like-minded colleagues and should be celebrated for his truly remarkable actions.

“What he did that day embodies what we as a Force stand for, an unwavering commitment to keeping the public safe and I hope our communities take pride and reassurance from knowing they are in such safe, dedicated hands.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: “It’s no surprise that Graham was nominated for this award.

“He is a fantastic representative of the dedication, selflessness and bravery shown by our Northumbria Police officers every single day.

“Whatever the outcome at awards like this it’s so important that we shine light on people like Graham who are brave enough to wear the uniform.

“We must applaud the very people who serve our communities and show a special kind of courage and commitment, despite saying they’re ‘just doing their job’ – my thanks and congratulations go to them all.”