Awards for police officers who pulled woman from the sea in Brighton

Sussex Police held its Brighton and Hove divisional awards at the British Airways i360 on Friday (February 8).

PC Lara England and PC Lyndsey Burkinshaw were commended for their actions when they were called to a report of a suicidal woman threatening to enter the sea.

They found the woman in the water near the West Pier and she appeared to be unconscious and non responsive. The officers went into the water, pulled her and out and started first aid. Their actions 'without doubt saved the woman's life', Sussex Police said.

They were among officers, staff, volunteers and members of the public including two children who received awards for their courage, bravery, exceptional investigative skills and dedication to providing a public service in the city.

More than 60 awards were given out at the ceremony, presented by divisional Chief Superintendent Lisa Bell in the presence of the High Sheriff of East Sussex Major General John Moore-Bick and Brighton and Hove City Mayor Dee Simson.

An award was also presented to Oliver and Francesca Hook, aged 11 and nine, for their courage and bravery after they confronted a person who had stolen a plastic shark head from the the play area at Hove Lagoon.

They recognised this as being wrong and began questioning and filming the suspect, police said. The footage was used to identify the culprit online, which led to the shark's head being returned to the owner and an apology from the thief.

Chief Supt Bell said their actions were an outstanding achievement and they should be proud of their quick thinking and actions.

PC Phil McGrath was commended for his courage after his colleague was attacked. The pair were checking the welfare of a teenage boy at a house in Hove when he opened the door and stabbed PC McGrath's crewmate in the arm.

The officer ran towards the boy, detained him and removed the weapon. Sussex Police said his quick thinking and bravery saved his colleague from receiving significant or life threatening injuries.

Park ranger William Furze was instrumental is finding a high risk vulnerable missing woman at Waterhall nature reserve in Brighton. He met police officers and directed them to where she was lying in undergrowth at the reserve. Without his assistance it would not have been possible for officers to find her, police said. He helped them carry her to a waiting ambulance and his actions played a vital role in recovering the woman safely and reuniting her with her family, police adde. He received a divisional commendation for his actions.

Detective Sergeant Owen Radley and Detective Constables Darran Newman and Tom Duffy were commended for their investigative work on Operation Highbridge, an investigation into sexual offences on women and girls in the city.

Sussex Police said the officers showed tenacity and persuasive argument to secure a charge against the suspect.

"Their determination to secure justice successfully removed a dangerous individual from the community and protected vulnerable women and girls from his predatory offending," police said.

Detective Superintendent Jeff Riley said the case demonstrated the very best example of investigative tenacity.

And Special Constables Jason Glanville, Luke Piner and Alan Rankin-Thorn were commended for creating a divisional support team who on Friday evenings respond to crime and anti-social behaviour. This came after a significant decline in the number of volunteer Special Constables in Brighton and Hove in 2016, but Sussex Police said as a result of the support team, the average number of hours worked has increased engagement and training of special constables in the city.

Sussex Police said: "As volunteers, their commitment to working as part of the police family has been recognised as outstanding."

Chief Supt Bell said: "I see the dedication, professionalism and courage with which Brighton and Hove officers and staff police the city on a daily basis.

"This was a chance to see the breadth of policing and active citizenship across the city and recognise those who have gone above and beyond what is expected. It is the tireless and selfless efforts of those who have been recognised that keeps our communities in Brighton and Hove safe and secures the trust and confidence of the public."