A Warwickshire petrol station was saved from disaster thanks to the quick-thinking actions of a police officer who talked down a man threatening to set himself on fire.

Body-worn camera footage captured Police Sergeant Charlie Thompson attempting to persuade an individual in crisis to step back from the brink at the Tesco fuel station in Stratford.

The man had walked onto the site, covered himself in petrol and was holding a lighter, threatening to ignite himself while standing dangerously close to the pumps.

Staff members ran inside as petrol fumes filled the air. The individual remained on the forecourt clutching a fuel container in one hand while keeping the lighter in the other.

Sergeant Thompson was among the first officers at the scene and immediately began speaking to the man, trying to establish a connection and guide him away from the pumps toward safety.

The circumstances quickly grew more perilous. Not only had the man poured fuel over himself, but he had also spread BBQ lighting gel across the pump beside him. Meanwhile, in the frantic evacuation, workers had been unable to verify whether the fuel system had been properly shut down, meaning any ignition source could have sparked a rapidly spreading fire.

Firefighters waited nearby with specialist gear ready for the worst possible outcome. Police negotiators joined the effort to calm the situation, though the man’s demands became increasingly unpredictable.

Throughout the tense standoff, Sergeant Thompson’s composed and steady presence kept things grounded. Despite the grave danger, he stayed close to the man as circumstances grew more hazardous.

When negotiators’ final peaceful efforts failed, a pre-planned operation was set in motion. After removing his heavy protective equipment to move more freely, Sergeant Thompson waited for his cue. Spotting an opportunity, he burst forward.

The officer brought the man to the ground, finding himself immediately covered in petrol from the container still clutched in the individual’s grip. A frantic struggle ensued as he fought to seize the lighter before it could be lit, while fire extinguishers were deployed across the fuel-soaked ground.

His intervention protected fellow officers, members of the public and prevented what could have been a devastating incident in the centre of Warwickshire.

He was subsequently put forward for an award at the Police Federation National Police Bravery Awards 2026 in recognition of his actions.

Modest Sergeant Thompson explained that his success depended on his colleagues, describing how their coordination and teamwork enabled them to avert a tragic loss of life. He expressed being deeply moved by the nomination, noting that recognition for police work is always welcome. He added that he hoped the man he restrained had since recovered from what must have been an extremely difficult point in his life and received the support he required.

Andy Morrissey, Vice Chair of Warwickshire Police Federation, commended the officer’s performance, stating that Sergeant Thompson displayed every quality required in policing during this incident. As a supervisor he took control while still placing himself in danger. Despite knowing about the fuel, the lighter, the unconfirmed pump isolation and the obvious peril, he accepted significant personal risk to prevent a highly dangerous situation from becoming a catastrophe. This demonstrated courage, leadership and a genuine human instinct to communicate with someone in peril.

Acting Chief Constable David Gardner said the force took great pride in Sergeant Thompson, whose actions that day showed remarkable courage, compassion and rapid decision-making. He attributed the avoidance of tragedy in Stratford-upon-Avon to this officer and the other officers present. He concluded that Sergeant Thompson was entirely deserving of the Bravery Award.