Essex officers praised for bravery during blowtorch stand-off in Harlow
Eight officers receive commendations for courage and teamwork
Eight officers from Essex Police have been praised for their remarkable bravery and teamwork following a tense stand-off involving a blowtorch in Harlow.
Dylan Russell, 29, threatened police officers on 2nd January 2024 after being detected driving dangerously in Harlow.
After officers safely brought his car to a stop in Millwards, Russell doused one officer in petrol and brandished a lit blowtorch.
Russell, from Quarry Spring, attempted to intimidate the officers by pouring a ring of petrol around his feet and dousing himself in fuel.
In a 10-minute stand-off, the officers maintained communication with Russell while carefully manoeuvring around him, armed with fire extinguishers.
Swift action was taken once Russell poured fuel over himself, enabling the officers to move in and disarm him.
Russell pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker, threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a public place, and dangerous driving.
He was sentenced to 21 months in custody, suspended for two years, at Chelmsford Crown Court.
On 23rd June 2025, the officers involved in the incident received a Chief Constable’s Commendation and were nominated at the Essex Police Federation Bravery Awards.
Chief Constable BJ Harrington commended PC Steve Bowering, PC Andy Quinn, PC Liam Amner, PS Fay Firmin, PC Tom Baggley, PC Adem Harman, PC Ryan Chapman, and PC Karl England, highlighting their exceptional bravery, tactical awareness, and teamwork.
Steve Martin, Chair of the Essex Police Federation, praised the officers for their extraordinary courage:
Their commitment to protecting the public exemplifies the very best of policing, and we are immensely proud of them.
This case once again shows the incredible work our officers do every single day.
Detective Sarah Faircloth, the officer in this case, added:
Russell endangered the lives of the public, our officers and himself.
Were it not for the incredible professionalism and cool heads of all those involved in his arrest, he could have caused himself incredible harm.
That professionalism extended to the investigation – we produced a thorough and detailed case against Russell, built on the statements of those officers, that left him no choice but to plead guilty.