Former Chichester holiday camp worker is now a police recruit after heroic response to assault

A brave bystander turned police recruit has spoken of her life-changing decision to intervene after a woman was attacked in Chichester.
Emma Bennison, who has recently made her first arrest as one of Sussexs newest police officers, was advised to join the force after her heroic response to hearing a womans screams one night in Chichester in August 2018. Photo: Sussex Police SUS-201103-104857001Emma Bennison, who has recently made her first arrest as one of Sussexs newest police officers, was advised to join the force after her heroic response to hearing a womans screams one night in Chichester in August 2018. Photo: Sussex Police SUS-201103-104857001
Emma Bennison, who has recently made her first arrest as one of Sussexs newest police officers, was advised to join the force after her heroic response to hearing a womans screams one night in Chichester in August 2018. Photo: Sussex Police SUS-201103-104857001

Emma Bennison, who has recently made her first arrest as one of Sussex’s newest police officers, was advised to join the force after her heroic response to hearing a woman’s screams one night in August 2018.

Emma, then a teenagers’ activity manager for a holiday company, said: “I was walking into town and I witnessed what looked to me like a man attacking a lady.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I screamed and ran down the road [towards them]. He ran off in the other direction.”

Emma asked her sister to dial 999 whilst she administered first aid.

“At the time the adrenaline had kicked in,” she explained. “You don’t think about what you are doing, you just go. Even then I had never even thought about being a police officer.”

Emma said she was asked to give a witness statement, after which she was advised to apply to join the force.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chichester-based PC Matthew Snelson, who was the first officer on scene at the incident, said: “I was struck that Emma had managed the crime scene and safeguarded the victim in the way a police officer would.

“She was an excellent witness, presenting her evidence in an open minded way. I recognised that she had the instincts of a good police officer.

“Many people would have flapped at the sight of the woman lying on the floor. She did not.

“She was surprised when I told her she would make a good police officer. Too often people – especially women – discount policing as a career as they feel you have to be scrappy, but the opposite is true.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The role is about keeping the peace and diffusing conflict. To police effectively, you need respect in your heart and an open mind towards people and circumstances, and most importantly seek the truth.

“I am extremely pleased to find out that Emma took up my recommendation. I remember the incident well.

“I have every confidence she will go on to be an excellent officer with a sound investigative instinct.”

Sussex Police launched its PC recruitment campaign on Monday. Emma, who will work in Brighton, was one of 36 new recruits funded by the government 20,000 campaign.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Just three weeks into the job, Emma has already made her first arrest, after a car search uncovered a stash of drugs. However, Emma said her career highlight so far has been helping a lady whose flat had been burgled and apparently occupied whilst she was away.

“It’s really rewarding, letting people know how much we care,” she said.

“I just want to help people.”

The recruits are the first of an additional 129 officers for Sussex to be recruited by March 2021 funded by the first phase of the Government initiative, which aims to recruit 20,000 officers by 2023.

Outgoing chief constable Giles York QPM said: “We are delighted to welcome these officers to Sussex, made possible by the government’s uplift commitment, and I look forward to seeing their careers progress.”

If you are interested in applying to become a police constable at Sussex Police, go to: https://www.sussex.police.uk/jobs