A number of police officers in Bath have been honoured for their bravery at two incidents in the city last December.
Among the recipients of the awards included a Bristol PCSO who prevented a woman from committing suicide, the group of Bath officers who rescued a man from the River Avon, a Minehead-based officer who rescued a suicidal woman from a cliff top in Watchet, and a 12-year-old Bristol schoolgirl whose courage saw three burglars locked up.
The awards were presented by Chief Constable Nick Gargan and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Sue Mountstevens.
Nick Gargan said: “Events like this really bring home the risks our staff take day in, day out, to keep people safe. I feel incredibly proud of them and hope members of the community are reassured that they are there when we need them.”
“Keziah Excell-Dunkley also deserves a special mention. This girl, just 12 at the time, overcame her fears to give evidence in court to ensure a burglary victim got justice. She’s an outstanding girl.”
PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “A number of the people who will collect awards today have rescued highly emotional people in the most dangerous circumstances, which takes great skill and courage. For many, because of the sensitive nature of a lot of these cases, the public never even know they happen.
“For example today Jeff Harrop, who for seven years chaired Bristol’s Independent Advisory Group, will also be recognised for his work. Under his leadership, the IAG became a critical friend for the police during some of the toughest times, including the deployment of armed police on the streets of St Paul’s ten years ago and terrorist arrest in 2008. He’s an excellent example of just what can be achieved when the police and local communities work together.”
Also being presented with awards are the team of detectives responsible for the three-year complex investigation that saw worldwide fraudster James McCormick get the maximum prison sentence for selling novelty ‘golf ball finders’ as explosives detectors.
PC’s Jamie Bell, Leigh Watts and PS Clive Summerill were involved in a dramatic rescue underneath North Parade Bridge last December. Upon receiving reports that a woman was in the river, the three officers reached down two feet from a pontoon to the water, grasped the woman’s head and shoulders and pulled her up. They then cleared water from her lungs and commenced CPR, taking it in turns to do mouth to mouth and chest compressions. An ambulance arrived and after a further ten minutes, when paramedics found a pulse, she was removed to hospital. The woman was put into intensive care but sadly died five days later.
Near Windsor Bridge also last December, Insp Brian Brady and PC’s Phil Hugget, Paul Sheppard, Will Stephens and Rob Turner were part of a brave rescue to save a man who had ended up in the river after assaulting a taxi driver. PC Sheppard heard a splash and they assumed the man had run behind a building and headlong into the river. PC Sheppard forced his way through the undergrowth to the bank but could not see the man.
Two officers searching the opposite bank spotted the man in the water, partially hidden by a concrete overhanging support. PC Sheppard, PC Turner, Insp Brady and PC Stephens forced their way through the undergrowth to a point on the bank close to the man. PC Turner lay down to keep contact with the man and Insp Brady stood on the edge holding onto a branch for support. PC Stephens and PC Sheppard helped anchor the other two in place and, together with PC Hugget, they lowered a rope. They eventually got the man out and escorted him to hospital.
