POLICE Sergeants Sarwan “Billy” Johal and David Pyle and Police Constables Daniel Fenn, Jonathon Griffith, James Prosser, David Wood and James Wood have been commended after saving the life of a man who tried to drown himself in the river Severn on December, 30 last year.

Police were informed that the man had left his home in a distressed state following an argument.

Officers went to various locations before PCs Fenn and Griffith spotted the man running along South Quay.

They were then joined by Sergeants Johal and Pyle and, following a short search, the man was seen on a moored vessel normally used for river cruises.

He was on a small metal ledge on the outside of the cabin in a precarious position, holding on to a thin nylon rope.

A mooring rope was dropped down the side to him but he refused to take hold of it and after a short time he slipped into the water.

The current took the man downstream and across to the opposite bank, where he ended up clinging to the undergrowth but still in deep water.

PCs David Wood and James Prosser attempted to throw a rescue ring to him, but overhanging trees prevented this. Sergeant Pyle climbed precariously out over the edge of the river using the overhanging branches, making his way as close to the man as he could before grabbing his hand.

The man was then able to be dragged from the water by PCs David Wood and Prosser and Sgt Johal, who had scaled down the river bank to the water’s edge, PC Wood being up to his knees in water and mud.

The other officers formed a human chain to provide support to each other due to the treacherous conditions.

They managed to get the man from the riverside onto the footpath where they began to administer first aid to try and treat the early signs of hypothermia.

He was then carried by officers for approximately two-thirds of a mile before being handed to paramedics.

Ch Supt Horwood said: “This was an outstandingly courageous and hazardous rescue in extreme and difficult circumstances and without their intervention the man would almost certainly have died.

“The man had only minutes to survive in the freezing water and all the officers involved worked tirelessly as a team to save his life. They all thoroughly deserve this recognition.”

SECTION Officer John Smith is a special constable with 28 years’ service. He has been commended for his many years of service to the community.

In particular he is commended for the professionalism he has shown in integrating the special constabulary into local policing teams to assist in reducing and dealing with crime, raising the public perception of the police and providing a quality local policing service.

SO John Smith, working at Evesham and Droitwich, has spent the majority of his time in front-line policing, usually by way of foot patrols with the aim of adding to local crime prevention and public reassurance efforts.

Ch Supt Jane Horwood, said: “ John has been the main contact point for the special constabulary in Evesham and Droitwich. He has provided much-needed support to regular shifts and in times of emergency – such as the July 2007 floods, where he deployed specials in Droitwich to help protect the safety of members of the public and business community.”

DETECTIVE Constable Peter Sherwood has been awarded for his dedicated and imaginative approach to help convict an armed robber following robberies at Corals Bookmakers in Evesham High Street and WH Smiths, in Bridge Street, Evesham.

A search of an address revealed a number of items including empty mobile phone boxes identified as being stolen from WH Smiths. A plastic bag containing items of clothing and trainers suspected as being worn during the robbery at Corals we was also recovered as well as more clothing found behind some wood behind the flat.

This clothing was identified as being worn by the offender of the robbery and the suspect’s DNA was recovered from it.

The discarded clothing found, together with the trainers, CCTV and identification video images, was sent off to a forensic body and facial mapping expert. This resulted in a comprehensive report which strongly supported the evidence that the individual had committed the robbery.

In February, he was sentenced to eight years.

POLICE Sergeant Peter Aldis has been commended for playing a key role in three major investigations.

– while maintaining his core role in heading up the Worcester City centre policing team.

In February, he took on a key role in a murder investigation, providing long hours of service in the initial, critical phase.

Shortly afterwards, an unexplained death lead to an intense period of activity for the division – following another very serious incident in Evesham the day before.

Ch Supt Jane Horwood said: “More recently, a further serious incident occurred in Droitwich, which led to Peter changing role at short notice, adapting his duties to help the division with this sensitive enquiry.

“What additionally impressed was that Peter never forgot his core role.

“It would have been easy to become detached and easy to be asked to be written off exclusively to the additional roles.

“But Peter maintained his commitment to his team throughout.”

Community Support Officers Helen Carstairs, Lisa Hadley and Kevin Youd have been commended for preventing a woman from committing suicide at Malvern railway station.

The three CSOs were near the station when British Rail staff called police with their concerns about the woman in February.

CSO Carstairs arrived first and saw the woman – who was known to have self-harm and suicidal tendencies – initially walk away from the area.

Shortly afterwards the woman climbed onto the railway bridge, saying she was going to kill herself by jumping onto the track below.

CSO Hadley and CSO Youd then arrived and took hold of the woman, restraining her and dragging her back from the wall and detaining her until police officers arrived to take over.

Chief Superintendent Jane Horwood, head of policing in south Worcestershire, said: “They are a credit to the division and the force.

“Their acts were selfless and professional in extremely pressured and stressful circumstances.”

TEMPORARY Sub Divisional Officer Michael Chalkley of West Mercia Special Constabulary has been awarded for his contribution to the force over many years.

Mick Chalkley was appointed to the constabulary in June 1989 and in St Johns, before joining Worcester City local policing team.

He took on the role of section officer for the teams working out of Castle Street.

Commandant David Drew said: “He never loses sight of the individual and does all he can to support and encourage these young officers to see the difference they can make through their work.

“Mick will be very embarrassed by the attention from this award. He is happiest working behind the scenes to support others. He is the archetypal unsung hero!”

Detective Constable Lee Beckett has been commended for his work in covert operations leading to a significant number of convictions and the recovery of substantial amounts of high value stolen property.

During a secondment to the Dedicated Source Unit (DSU), between November 2007 and April 2009, he “demonstrated solid and consistent performance,” said Ch Supt Horwood.

“On numerous occasions Lee provided quality intelligence which led to the recovery of Class ‘A’ drugs, the conviction of offenders and the seizure of their assets.

“He is always methodical and reliable and very innovative in his approach to tackling crime.”

T/DETECTIVE Sergeant Louise Wall, Detective Constable Zoey Carter, Police Constable Tony Carter and Police Constable Paul Adams have been awarded for their excellent police work in bringing four burglars to justice.

Each played a key role investigating a burglary near Droitwich, in which a number of items of great sentimental value were taken from a house.

Four offenders appeared at crown court in August 2009 where they were convicted of burglary offences and sentenced to a total of eight-and-three-quarter years.

Ch Supt Jane Horwood said: “This was an excellent example of good teamwork and co-ordinated effort and, in fact, in court the judge commented that this was ‘an excellent piece of police work’.”