Police honoured at annual awards

PC Ben Barnatt, PC Christina Bales and PC Robert Lee were given awards for their response to a fatal head-on-collision on the A21 at Johns Cross on Boxing Day.

The three were among the first on the scene and helped asses the casualties, close the road, deal with heavy traffic and members of the public and deal with secondary crashes at the scene.

Six people were involved in the crash, including a young child.

The officers were commended for their "professionalism, motivation and initiative".

PS Andy Harbour and PC Stu Ball were confronted with a horrific scene when they were called to deal with a man who had shot himself in Robertsbridge on August 31.

The man was in a locked car and had shot himself in the mouth, causing substantial facial injuries.

The man was unconscious, with the gun still in his mouth, when the two officers forced their way into the vehicle and carried out CPR, managing to get a pulse.

PCSOs Daryl Holter, Chris Dewitt and Demetrius Georghiou, along with DI Williams, received awards for their part in Operation Hallend.

The PCSOs worked tirelessly developing trust with the rural community and gathering a significant amount of intelligence, resulting in the arrest of five men in rural Rother, recovery of firearms and animal carcasses.

DI Williams showed "outstanding leadership" in developing the intelligence into the operation

The officers were commended by Chief Superintendent Robin Smith, Policing Commander for East Sussex, at the ceremony, held at the Kings Centre in Eastbourne.

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