Stories of heroism and bravery at awards ceremony

Safeguarding the victim of a stabbing, saving a suicidal woman’s life and helping a family stranded on Snowdon were just some of the acts of determination, bravery and heroism praised at a force ceremony.

Chief Constable’s Commendations and Royal Humane Society and Long Service awards were handed out yesterday evening (18 May) at Hinchingbrooke House, in Huntingdon.

Chief Constable Nick Dean hosted the event – his last before he retires in September – and praised officers, staff and members of the public for their selfless and valiant efforts.

He said: “This evening is about celebrating your amazing achievements. I have been blown away by the stories of bravery, grit and determination. The kindness, compassion and dedication you have showed in your roles and daily lives is nothing short of astonishing. 

“You have dedicated your time and thrown yourselves in harm’s way to ensure other people’s safety, put your own lives on the lines and gone above and beyond to help others.

“To each and every one of you, I say thank you and very well done, these awards are richly deserved.”

Below are just some of the amazing achievements officers, staff and members of the public were commended for…

 

Saving a family stranded on Snowdon

Detective Constable Trevor McSparron helped a family get down from the summit of Mount Snowdon in poor weather and with a baby at risk of suffering hypothermia.

He realised the couple were in trouble and found an emergency blanket to wrap around the one-year-old.

Trevor took charge of their dog and tried to calm the parents down as they had no signal to call for help and were panicking.

He pushed on ahead and got to a log cabin where they were initially refused entry but then allowed in after Trevor identified himself as an off-duty police officer.

Baby picked up after about 10 minutes inside and Trevor helped to get the couple warm before accompanying mum and baby to a volunteer’s vehicle, and then walking with dad the rest of the way.

Trevor’s quick actions on 22 May last year helped ensure the baby and his parents did not come to any harm.

 

 

Saving a suicidal woman

PC Jess Bianchi and her sister Izabella are commended for their selfless and brave actions in helping save the life of a suicidal woman in Peterborough.

The woman had left Peterborough City Hospital and tried to end her life at a bridge over the nearby A47 in February this year.

Police had been called and on arrival found Jess, off duty, already on the dual carriageway providing first aid and keeping the woman conscious.

Jess was also attempting to protect them from traffic on the 70mph stretch of road and giving directions to her 19-year-old sister Izabella and another member of the public to flag down motorists.

Jess and Izabella put themselves at considerable risk in giving a stranger first aid in these conditions, on a fast, busy road, without high visibility clothing or a marked police car. 

But they remained focused on protecting the woman and most probably saved her life.

 

 

Restraining an out of control suspect

Brothers Marcin and Rafal Dabrowski are commended for bravely coming to the aid of a police officer struggling to detain a suspect.

The pair got involved after seeing PC Sam Balcombe struggling on the ground with the heavily intoxicated man.

The suspect had just crashed into a car being driven by Marcin, while Rafal lived nearby.

PC Balcombe had called for back-up, but this was ten minutes away and the suspect was fighting back and resisting arrest.

Thanks to the efforts of all three, the man was handcuffed, and restrained.

Afterwards the brothers were willing to give up more of their time to give statements as evidence.

Marcin and Rafal are commended for coming to PC Balcombe’s aid and preventing him from potentially suffering more serious injuries.

Their actions are even more laudable given how common it is now for officers struggling with suspects to simply be watched and filmed on mobile phones.

 

 

 

Determined and exceptional work in a complex case

Detective Constable Rob Giffen led an exemplary investigation into the attempted murder of a nine-year-old boy, resulting in an indefinite hospital order for the attacker.

Faisal Kahn repeatedly stabbed the boy in a random attack in Peterborough in May 2021.

The youngster was airlifted to hospital and later underwent specialist, reconstructive surgery but was left with life-changing injuries, including permanent scarring.

The case was very challenging, evidentially and emotionally.

Rob dealt with it professionally and diligently and he built a superb rapport with the victim.

He ensured the victim and his family got the best care and the best outcome was achieved for all concerned.

Kahn pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was given an indefinite hospital order, meaning he will only be released when he is deemed not to pose any risk to the public.

Rob is commended for going above and beyond to carry out a first-class investigation, which brought the best possible outcome in a case that will live long in the memory of all involved.

 

 

Saving an elderly man from the water

Audrius Norkus helped save the life of an 82-year-old man whose car had gone into water after leaving a Fenland road.

Audrius was driving along Forty Foot Bank, near Benwick, on the afternoon of 17 August last year when he saw some lights in the water.

He turned around to investigate and realised it was a car that had sunk beneath the surface.

The elderly driver, who had been returning home from a hospital appointment, had managed to get out and his head was just above the surface but he was surrounded by weeds and rushes.

Andrius spotted him and, without hesitation, entered the water. He helped get the man onto dry land where he waited with him until the emergency services arrived.

Without Andrius’ help it’s believed the man would not have been able to get out of the water and may not have survived.