The presentation of the annual Sheriffs Award for Bravery took place at the Annual Dinner at Carpenters Hall on 15th October, where Alderman Sheriff Robert Hughes-Penny and Sheriff Deputy Keith Bottomley presented the Principal Recipients of the 2025 Sheriffs Award for Bravery Molly Bulmer and Alicia Richards with their award to a well-deserved standing ovation from all the guests.

The Principal Recipients receive a trophy, a framed citation and a cash award and by order of the Sheriffs their name is permanently inscribed on an Honours Board and in a Book of Honour at the Old Bailey. In his introduction to the award presentation Middle Warden Andrew Knights explained that the Sheriffs met in early September to select the Principal Recipient and also to select five over acts of bravery that will receive commendations at Common Hall to be held at Grocers Hall on the 18th November 2025 he then thanked the Sheriffs for their ongoing support to the award. Andrew also thanked the Sheriffs Award for Bravery Committee for their commitment and support over the past year and all the nominators for taking the time to send in their nominations. Noting that without them many of the acts of bravery would not have been recognised.

The Sheriffs Award for Bravery came into being following the many acts of bravery carried out by members of the public in the immediate aftermath of the London bombings in July 2005 and has been awarded by the Sheriffs every year since 2006. The key details from the citation are as follows. On the 1 st May 2024 at The Birley Academy in Sheffield Molly and Alicia found themselves having to deal with an attack by Louis Melotte who had become self-radicalised. Melotte had spent the previous evening writing threatening messages about his perceived vendetta against the school and had stated his intention to seek revenge. In one of his final posts online, he had written ‘Whatever happens at the Birley Academy today is God’s righteous plan’.

His arrival at the school coincided with the start of the school day and the reception area was busy with students, staff and visitors to the school. On being denied access by Alicia, Melotte, without warning savagely attached one of children. Molly preventing him from attacking the children further. However, she then became the target of his attack. Given the ferocity of the attack against her, it is both inexplicable and miraculous that she didn’t sustain significant injury. Meanwhile, Alicia boldly left the relative safety of the reception desk and rushed to support Molly in engaging Melotte and getting others to safety. The incident captured on CCTV, shows both of these women bravely facing extreme violence without any thought for their own safety.

There is no doubt whatsoever that it was the actions of Molly and Alicia that saved the community of Birley Academy from the most unimaginable tragedy and they are worthy recipients of the 2025 Sheriffs Award for Bravery. To read the full citation please visit the following link: https://wcosp.org/the-sheriffs-award-for-bravery/