A former security said he is lucky to be alive after being stabbed by a shoplifter while working at a shop in Preston.
Jeff Kenyon shared his story at a conference hosted by Lancashire’s Police & Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, at Ribby Hall on Wednesday (September 16).
The 50-year-old was working security at a Carlisle Street shop, when he confronted armed shoplifter Andrzej Mikulski outside the store in February last year. The 27-year-old drove a knife through Jeff’s thigh, severing a vein and damaging an artery, before fleeing the scene – leaving Jeff fighting for his life in a pool of his own blood.
“I went to stop a shoplifter and he had a blade and nearly killed me,” said Jeff, who now walks with the help of a crutch due to his stab injury.
“As I approached him, he stabbed me straight through my leg. It nearly came out through the other side. He severed my main leg vein, which couldn’t be repaired, and he’s crushed my artery against my thigh bone.
“Thankfully, he didn’t puncture my artery. It was close, and if that had happened – with the amount of blood I was losing – I definitely wouldn’t have survived the attack.
Police officers had to use a tourniquet to stem the bleeding and Jeff was airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital for emergency surgery. Medics operating on Jeff found the knife had come close to passing completely through his thigh.
Mikulski was found guilty of wounding with intent by a jury at Preston Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to a raft of other offences, and was jailed for 22 years and six months.
This week, Jeff shared his harrowing story at a conference hosted by Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw. The event saw the Commissioner’s Violence Reduction Network (VRN) launched a new Serious Violence Strategy to tackle serious violence across the county, combating issues including knife crime, sexual violence and child exploitation.
The former security guard was invited to attend as a Lived Experience Speaker, with Jeff’s experience illustrating the devastating and lasting impact that violent crime has on victims.
“Luckily, I’m here to tell the story,” said Jeff. “It was scary, especially when I saw all the blood and it’s had a real impact on my life.
“It’s affected my walking and I now have to use a crutch. I can’t do the daily things I used to do, such as playing football with my grandchildren.
“And I can’t do the job I used to do. It’s knocked my confidence and I have PTSD and have to see a psychiatrist. It’s affected my whole life.
“I expected to go to work that day, do my job and come home to my family. I didn’t expect I’d nearly be losing my life and been taken to hospital.
“That’s why I’m here today to support the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Serious Violence Strategy for Lancashire. I don’t want to see what happened to me happen to anyone else.”
Commissioner Grunshaw said: “Serious violence can have a devastating and lasting impact on individuals, families and communities, which is why preventing harm before it occurs must remain a priority for us all. While Lancashire is one of the safest places in the country, we recognise that tackling serious violence requires a collective effort that goes far beyond enforcement alone.
“This strategy sets out our shared commitment to addressing the root causes of violence, supporting those most at risk and creating safer, stronger communities. By bringing together partners from across policing, health, education, local government, the voluntary sector and other key services, we can deliver meaningful intervention, prevention and support where it is needed most.
“I am proud of the progress already made through the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network, from helping thousands of young people through early intervention programmes to supporting vulnerable individuals at critical moments. However, there is still more to do, and this strategy provides a clear framework for continuing that work.”
“By working together, listening to those with lived experience and focusing on prevention, we can reduce harm, build resilience and help ensure that everyone in Lancashire feels safe, supported and able to fulfil their potential.”
Gemma Barr, Chief Inspector at Lancashire’s Violence Reduction Network, added: “Preventing serious violence is a shared responsibility, and no single organisation can achieve it alone.
“Through the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network, partners are working together to understand the factors that place people at risk, intervene earlier and provide the right support at the right time.
“This strategy strengthens our collective approach to prevention, helping us build safer communities and improve outcomes for people across Lancashire.”
Source – Lancashire Post
