Bexhill police recognised at award ceremony

DI Ian Williams, PS Dave Sands, PC Robert Shaw, PC Jeremy Lowe, PS Andy Harbour, PC Roy Warren, PC Sally Blick, PC Christopher Biddis, PC Deborah Clark, PC Eleanor Bigsby, PC Philip Eagles, PC Kayleigh Page, PCSO Mick Hill and PCSO Darren Owen, were among officers from divisions throughout the area to receive awards and recognition at the East Sussex Divisional Awards ceremony held at the Kings Centre in February.

Distinguished guests at the event included the High Sheriff of East Sussex Bill Shelford, Lord Lieutenant Peter Field and Sussex Police Authority members.

Officers receiving awards were congratulated on their achievements by Chief Superintendent Robin Smith, Policing Commander for East Sussex.

Bexhill's DI Williams was commended for 'outstanding leadership, planning, engagement with our partners and commitment to tackle a difficult organised crime group.'

DI Williams, along with Battle PCSOs Holter, Dewitt and Georghiou lead an investigation into rural organised crime in Rother District leading to the arrest of five men.

The PCSOs were described as 'working tirelessly to develop trust with the rural community, leading to the collection of a significant amount of intelligence, the arrest of five men and the recovery of firearms and animal carcasses.'

They were commended for their excellent team work and communication skills.

PC Biddis, PC Blick, PC Warren and PC Harbour were commended for 'acting bravely and compassionately and serving with the highest degree of professionalism' when they attended a suicide struggle at Galley Hill last year.

The suicidal man, who had cut his throat, was intending to throw himself from the cliff edge at the local beauty spot. The officers tackled the man to the ground and administered first aid which ultimately saved his life.

In a separate, unrelated suicide attempt at Eastbourne's Beachy Head, Sgt. Sands was commended for his 'remarkable professional commitment whilst off duty and resolve' by talking to a suicidal man on the cliff edge.

Without PS Sands intervention the man may have taken his life.

In August 2009 PC Bigsby and PC Eagles, along with officers from Hastings, Battle, Rye, Newhaven and Polegate, attended a serious accident in Bexhill.

The injuries the officers faced were horrific and life-threatening. They demonstrated great teamwork, protecting the scene, and giving aid to the injured parties in the most testing of circumstances.

Subsequently the officers assisted the ambulance crew, stabilising two injured men - enabling them to be transported to hospital - and gave support to the families affected by the incident.

The officers response and actions were described as 'an example of excellent victim care, by a team who supported each other whilst under the utmost pressure, for which they are commended.'

Sgt. Sands, PC Lowe, PC Clark, and PC Page were commended for their 'quick response and excellent team' work when attending a burglary in progress at a newsagent in Bexhill in December 2009.

On arrival the officers saw blood spots inside and outside the premises. They trailed the blood to a nearby property and forced entry. All the stolen items from the newsagents were recovered.

Officers carried out a search for the suspect and stopped a man walking in the street nearby. It was established that he lived at the address and had a cut to his hand. He was arrested for burglary and later admitted the offence.

PC Shaw was tasked with obtaining evidence to prove an address in Bexhill was being used for the supply of Class A Drugs.

Due to the officer's diligence and community engagement, he gained the trust of the residents of Glovers Lane, enabling him to obtain sufficient evidence to prove that a flat in the road was being used in connection with the unlawful use and supply of a Class A controlled drug.

The professionalism and hard work PC Shaw presented during this investigation resulted in the evidence being presented to Hastings Magistrates Court. It was on this evidence alone that a Closure Order was obtained under the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003, for which he was congratulated.

Whilst carrying out duties in Bexhill PCSOs Mick Hill and Darren Owen, detained people they identified as committing theft in two stores over a two day period.

Their prompt and diligent actions resulted in two people being arrested from Tesco stores and later charged with theft.

Later that day, whilst still on patrol, their professionalism and knowledge of the law resulted in two further people being detained whom they suspected had commuted theft. They were also arrested and charged with theft.

The officers were described as having shown ' moral courage and excellent communication skills in being able to control the situation on both occasions until senior officers arrived.'