Motorist honoured at Police Public Bravery Awards for saving life of schoolgirl stabbed in Middlesborough

Ann Wicks was one of the gold winners recognised at the prestigious awards, which took place at The Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield yesterday evening (Thursday 14 November).

(Pictured: Deputy Chief Constable Victoria Fuller, Ann Wicks, NPCC chair Gavin Stephens)

The awards honour selfless members of the public who have placed themselves in dangerous situations, protected others, defended communities, prevented crime or actively assisted police.

Ann was driving on Premier Road, Middlesbrough, in June 2023 when she heard a female voice scream and saw a girl in school uniform running.

At first, Ann thought it was students messing around.

But when the screams turned to cries of ‘help’ she realised something was seriously wrong.

Ann noticed a man chasing after the girl, then bending over her when she fell, and decided to stop.

She shouted for him to get off and the girl attempted to get into Ann’s car.

But she was stabbed four times as she tried to climb into the rear passenger seat.

Despite this threat, Ann continued shouting at the man to leave his victim alone while sounding her car horn.

This momentarily distracted the attacker and the young victim managed to close the car door.

Ann started driving, left the scene and took the victim to the safety of both her mother and urgent medical attention.

The victim had life-threatening injuries, but after medical care was released to her family to continue her recovery.

Without the courageous intervention of Ann, she would almost certainly have been killed.

The 22-year-old attacker was charged with, and found guilty of, attempted murder as well as other offences around the making and distribution of indecent images of the victim.He awaits sentencing.

Deputy Chief Constable Victoria Fuller attended the awards on behalf of Cleveland Police, she said: “Ann should be incredibly proud of what she did that day. She put herself in harm’s way to help a young girl that undoubtedly led to her life being saved. The outstanding courage and bravery Ann showed needed to be recognised nationally, and I am delighted that this has happened as it is truly deserved.”

The Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police Lauren Poultney, who hosted the awards ceremony, said: “Without the courageous intervention of Ann, it is likely the 15-year-old schoolgirl in this case would have lost her life.

“Ann is a shining example of why these awards are so important.

“Every day we ask our police officers to put themselves between harm and the public.

“Even with training, safety equipment and support from other police officers, this takes great bravery to deliver.

“But when members of the public support another person - often a stranger - or support the police in their jobs they do so without the same training or knowledge.

“This outstanding courage needs to be recognised and it is my honour to do so through the Police Public Bravery Awards.”

Ann, like all the gold award winners, was given a gold-plated, solid silver medal created by The Sheffield Assay Office.

Winners on the night also included people who jumped into rivers to rescue strangers and assisted police struggling to detain violent suspects.