On the evening of Saturday 3rd June 2017, whilst on duty PC Wayne Marques, hearing the screams of a woman outside the railway station went towards the terrifying scenes commonly described as The London Bridge Attacks. As passers-by tended to a man suffering from multiple stab wounds and amidst scenes of panic and confusion along Borough High Street, PC Marques, without thought for his own safety, charged the three attackers to stop more members of the public being injured.
Equipped only with a standard issue expandable baton to defend himself, he engaged all three attackers who turned on him fiercely brandishing 8 and 10-inch knives and were dressed in what were later found to be fake explosive vests. Despite the desperate dangerousness of the situation, PC Marques fought courageously and relentlessly, until he lost consciousness as a result of the severe injuries inflicted by stab wounds to his head, hands, hip and legs.
This week, the City of London Sheriffs decided that PC Marques, a probationary officer who had been working for less than two years with the British Transport Police, was undoubtedly worthy of their award which recognises outstanding acts of bravery by individuals across the UK. PC Marques demonstrated a remarkable degree of bravery and an outstanding level of selflessness. The actions he took whilst seriously endangering his own life lead to the terrorists being neutralised by armed Police and unquestionably prevented others from being injured or killed.
PC Marques was selected for the ‘Principal Bravery Award’ by the Sheriffs of the City of London sitting at the Old Bailey. The Award was presented to PC Marques on 9th October 2017 at the Annual Dinner of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals held in Merchant Taylors Hall, London.
The Sheriffs’ Award, which was introduced shortly after the 2007 London tube and bus bombings, now widely known as “7/7” to recognise outstanding acts of bravery by individuals from across the UK. Every year since then, the Sheriffs have sought nominations for individuals who have, without thought for their own safety, acted to confront danger in a selfless and inspirational way. Following rigorous review of all nominations by Company representatives and the Sheriffs of the City of London, it was agreed that the award should be presented to PC Wayne Marques in virtue of the following:
At around 2200 hours the evening Saturday 3rd June 2017 three terrorists drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge and then engaged upon a knife attack on revelers enjoying the night time economy in Borough Market. Eight people were
killed and a further 48 injured. The attackers were armed with knives and wearing what were later found to be fake explosive vests.
British Transport Police Officer PC Wayne Marques was on duty in uniform at London Bridge Railway Station. PC Marques is a probationary officer with less than two years police service with British Transport Police. He was previously a Police Community Support Officer with the Metropolitan Police.
PC Marques heard a woman screaming outside the railway station, went towards the screams and saw people running along Borough High Street. He saw a man who was suffering from stab wounds being tended-to by members of the public and then saw three attackers stabbing other members of the public with 8 to 10-inch-long knives. Equipped only with a standard issue expandable baton, PC Marques charged the attackers whilst they were stabbing yet another victim and began fighting for his life with all three. As a result, he was stabbed in the head causing bleeding which impaired his vision and received more stab wounds to his head, hands, hip and legs. He continued fighting until, as a result of his injuries, he lost consciousness. Shortly after the attackers were shot by armed police officers. PC Marques was conveyed to hospital where he was treated for serious injuries.
The Sheriffs’ Award is launched annually in February with the ‘Principal Bravery Award’ being awarded by the Sheriffs in the autumn of the same year. As in previous years, the Company received a substantial number of high quality nominations. As part of this award, PC Marques will receive a cheque for £2,500 and his name will be inscribed on an Honours Board and placed in a Book of Honour, both of which are on permanent display within the Central Criminal Court, (The Old Bailey). This award is open to nominations from the general public, the business community, emergency services and the armed forces.