Two law enforcement officials who had been stabbed a number of instances in a "frenzied" assault on a distant moor have been nominated for a National Police Bravery Award.

PCs Tim Willett and Darren Brimacombe had been left needing intensive surgical procedure after the incident in July, 2021, after they had been in search of a lacking particular person on Dartmoor in Devon.  The man had left his dwelling in Princetown amid stories of a home assault.

Police had been instructed the lacking man was despondent, inebriated and had left in his automobile while in possession of razor blades. Devon and Cornwall Police PCs  Willett and Brimacombe discovered the person within the driver’s seat of his automobile. 

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A National Police Federation spokesperson stated the person "exploded out of the open car door and attacked PC Brimacombe who was repeatedly stabbed as they grappled on the ground". 

"The officer suffered lacerations to his scalp and his left eyelid– nearly having the end of his nose cut off and just millimetres away from damaging his eye," continued the National Police Federation spokesperson.

"PC Willett wrestled him off his injured colleague but was stabbed in the forearm and sliced his fingers as he pulled the blade from his grasp. A Taser was deployed by PC Willett to subdue the male so PC Brimacombe could apply handcuffs and detain him.

"PC Brimacombe’s arm was bleeding so closely, he tried making use of his personal tourniquet, nevertheless, there was a lot blood he could not preserve maintain of it and it dropped on the ground. PC Willett took his personal tourniquet and utilized it for him, however he could not tighten it as his fingers had been so badly reduce. They then activated the emergency buttons on their radios to request instant assist.

"Fortunately, a double-crewed armed response vehicle from Barnstaple, some 50 miles away, had been monitoring the radio transmissions and were already heading into Dartmoor and fortunately arrived shortly afterwards to render first aid and further assistance.  Both officers needed hospital treatment and have undergone multiple operations as part of their recovery."

In his witness assertion, PC Brimacombe stated: "There was a point where I was sat there thinking to myself whether I was going to come through all of it. I was genuinely frightened.

"I'm troubled by what the end result might have been ought to I've been by myself, which occurs usually in policing the agricultural neighborhood.”

PC Willett stated: "It was a horrendous situation. I am only thankful that this wasn't far worse, and that I have been able to come home to my wife and children."

Andy Berry, Devon and Cornwall Police Federation chair, stated: “Police officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the public and bring bad people to justice. Darren and Tim did just this despite knowing that any backup was quite some distance away.

“They put any concerns about their own safety to one side and showed huge resilience and bravery in bringing Ross, a dangerous individual, to justice. I am humbled by what Darren and Tim did that night and immensely proud to call them colleagues.”

Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Will Kerr stated: “Both PC Willett and PC Brimacombe showed exceptional bravery and resilience in their handling of the horror they faced that day.

“Both officers were attacked with a knife while going about their daily duty. While PC Brimacombe was being attacked, PC Willet stepped in to protect his colleague from further injury before being injured himself.

“The courage that both of these officers have shown is nothing short of incredible, putting their own safety at risk to protect others and uphold the law. I have no doubt that the traumatic events of that day stayed with the officers long after their physical injuries had healed.

“I am incredibly proud of their actions and commend the bravery and courage they have shown.”