Officers awarded for tackling man with samurai sword in Crawley

Officers said PC Ryan Oakley and Sergeant James Arrol-Barker were named as the South East regional winners of the 2022 Police Federation Bravery Awards for their actions in detaining the armed suspect on October 22 last year.

A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “The full story of their bravery can now be shared after the suspect – a man named Ali Bhatti – was convicted at Hove Crown Court of two counts of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article.

“Bhatti had used the lethal weapon to attack two innocent members of the public, causing them both significant physical injuries and lasting emotional trauma.

“Police [were] deployed to the area at around 8pm in response to calls from Bhatti saying he was going to go out with a samurai sword and commit a crime.

"He had admitted taking crack cocaine and said he believed someone was trying to kill him.

“While still on the phone to police, Bhatti left his house and drove a motorcycle towards the Broadfield Roundabout, where he crashed.

"He then started walking through traffic along Horsham Road, waving the samurai sword in the air.”

A member of the public who recognised Bhatti asked him if he was alright, according to police.

The spokesperson added: “Bhatti responded by stabbing the 38-year-old man with the sword, causing serious injuries to his chest and forearm.

“Bhatti continued the unprovoked attack and slashed at a second man, aged 61, who was walking along the footpath nearby, inflicting a large wound to his shoulder.”

PC Oakley and Sgt Arrol-Barker were the first officers on the scene, police said.

The spokesperson added: “They approached the armed suspect and deployed their taser multiple times before it took effect and Bhatti fell to the ground. As soon as he did, the officers placed him in handcuffs, seized the weapon and sought medical treatment for the two victims.

“Bhatti, 33, unemployed, of Henderson Road in Crawley, was taken into custody and later charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of possessing a bladed article in a public place.”

Sussex Police said Bhatti was found guilty by a jury on Tuesday, August 30, and will be sentenced on Friday, September 2.

Detective Constable Scott Parry, of the Crawley Criminal Investigations Department, said: “This was an unprovoked and vicious attack on two innocent members of the public, who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“The lives of both men have been severely impacted by this assault – not only in their recovery from the physical injuries, but also the mental scars they now endure.