The moment off-duty Gloucestershire Police officers confront knife-wielding killer
Watch the moment Police Sergeant Steve Wilkinson confronts Can Arslan armed with only a piece of wood to defend himself
A pair of off-duty Gloucestershire Police officers who confronted a murderer who had just stabbed his neighbour to death before setting out to kill another have won a National Police Bravery Award.
On 5 October 2021, in the village of Walton Cardiff, Gloucestershire, Can Arslan murdered his neighbour, Matthew Boorman, following a long-running dispute between the man and his neighbours.
Mr Boorman was killed on his own front lawn, stabbed 27 times. His wife Sarah was also injured in the attack.
Police Sergeant Steve Wilkinson was nearby and off-duty at the time of the incident.
Hearing a disturbance, he approached to see the attacker standing over the fatally injured Mr Boorman.
Sgt Wilkinson picked up a nearby piece of wood to defend himself as he challenged the man to drive him away, preventing any further injury to Mrs Boorman.
Still armed with a large kitchen knife, the man then stormed over to another neighbour’s house.
'Put the knife down'
Video footage shows Sergeant Steve Wilkinson, armed only with the piece of wood, telling Can Arslan to "Put the knife down."
Arslan quickly forced his way into the house of Peter Marsden, attacking him and stabbing him eight times.
Sgt Wilkinson rushed towards the struggle, hitting the man with the wood to get him to back off which was successful, before instructing Mr Marsden to lock the door.
Arslan is then seen calmly lighting a cigarette in the garden.
Sgt Wilkinson was also attacked with the knife as he intervened to save Mr Marsden, but thankfully he was not injured.
He was soon joined by his friend and colleague PC Josh Norris who was nearby.
Between the two of them, and with help from members of the community, they were able to contain Arslan until uniformed colleagues arrived to make an arrest.
They can be heard saying, "We're not going to let you hurt anyone else".
In June 2022, at Bristol Crown Court, Can Arslan was found guilty of murder, attempted murder and wounding and was sentenced to 38 years in prison.
The pair won the bravery award in London last night, 13 July.
Gloucestershire Police Federation Chair Stephen James said: “The actions of Josh and Steve on that day truly exemplify what these awards are all about. Police officers, whether on duty or not, putting themselves in danger’s way to protect others.
“Steve and Josh knew the man just killed someone. They knew he was still armed and yet they still put their own lives on the line to stop him, knowing that if they didn’t, he could kill someone else.
“That is utterly selfless and staggeringly brave, and we should all be incredibly proud of them.”
Chief Constable Rod Hansen said: “I am so proud of Steve and Josh for what they did on that terrible day.
“It’s impossible to do justice to their actions but they sum up the very best in public service.
“Their quick thinking, selflessness and immense bravery undoubtedly prevented further loss of life during a most horrific situation.
“Steve and Josh don’t consider themselves heroes and will rightly always ask people to keep what happened to Matthew Boorman and Peter Marsden at the forefront of their minds.
“But it’s also important that we hold fast to their actions that day, and those of local residents, paramedics and family members. They remind us of humanity’s capacity for good, even in the face of such depravity.”