Heroic officers praised at police awards

The Brighton and Hove divisional awards saw police officers, staff and two public spirited boys receive awards and congratulations for their courage, exceptional investigative skills and dedication to providing a public service.

PCs Dave Rea and John Winter were commended for their actions when they were called to a report of an 'extremely agitated' man who was holding a five-month-old baby on a confined sixth floor balcony while making threats to jump with the child and take the officers with him. Sussex Police said the pair's calm approach and subsequent use of force, while at serious risk of injury to themselves, prevented far more serious injuries to all those involved. This ultimately resulted in the safe return of the baby to its mother.

A public service award was presented to Alfie Jemmott and Tayo Shenton after helping police when a number of car windows had been smashed. When officers arrived at East Brighton park the suspect had disappeared but police said the two boys stayed near the vehicle and were able to provide a detailed description of the suspect and what had happened. Both boys who were aged 11, and officers said they were 'incredibly calm and polite'.

PC James Savill and PC Matthew Smith were commended for their professionalism, quick thinking and compassion when attending a cause for concern call in Brighton.

The pair gained entry to an address where they found a woman unconscious but breathing. The woman was stable but required swift transfer to hospital. But within a couple of minutes the patient unexpectedly went into cardiac arrest and the two officers performed CPR, successfully resuscitating the woman. Police said the officers showed compassion to the family who arrived during the incident and remained with them throughout, providing positive reassurance once at hospital. Owing to the direct actions of the two PCs, they saved the woman's life.

Two outstanding investigation awards were given to officers and staff from the division's investigation team. Detective Inspector Andy Wolstenholme, Detective Sergeant Julie Greenwood, Detective Constable Andy Beaumont, Detective James Botting, Detective Suzy MacLintock and Investigator Andy Scott were congratulated for their work on a complex and challenging investigation into the use of torture and extreme violence by an organised crime gang against vulnerable victims.

DI Wolstenholme and Detective Constables Sarah Townsend and James Meanwell were also awarded for their work on the investigation into the deliberate infection of five men and the attempted deliberation of five further men by a former sexual partner in 2015 and 2016. Police said he was convicted of five counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and five counts of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent in the first cause of this type in English law.

Special Constable Jamie Jackson received the Excellence in Partnership award for his work and quick thinking when helping vulnerable victims during a large fire. SC Jackson, who works at Brighton and Hove Buses, helped families evacuated from the fire to shelter and support throughout the night. Having heard about the fire over his police radio, SC Jackson provided a bus to assist with road closures, and to help the victims seek refuge from the bad weather and thick smoke. The ambulance crews used the bus to assess victims. SC Jackson also obtained use of the Conway Street staff room for the displaced residents. They provided hot drinks, facilities and warmth until the Red Cross were able to help. His quick thinking, compassion, and willingness to step in when required was evident throughout the night, police said.

Chief Superintendent Lisa Bell, Divisional Commander for Brighton and Hove, said: "I see the dedication, professionalism and courage with which Brighton and Hove officers and staff police the city on a daily basis. It is an absolute pleasure to be able to formally acknowledge some of my colleagues for the outstanding work that they do. Many of our colleagues routinely go above and beyond what could be expected by the public or the service as a whole and events like today are an important way to recognise their contribution to keeping the city safe."

Deputy Chief Constable Laurence Taylor said: "Everyday officers and staff in Brighton and Hove and indeed across the force go beyond the call of duty. Their courage, dedication and skills are saving people's lives, keeping people safe and catching criminals."

The ceremony took place at the Sussex County Cricket Ground in Hove and were presented by Deputy Chief Constable Laurence Taylor, High Sheriff of East Sussex Maureen Chowen and Brighton and Hove City Mayor Mo Marsh.