Lancashire emergency service workers honoured

11:58pm Wednesday 18th June 2008

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By Sally Henfield »

A ROOKIE cop who challenged a man armed with large knife following a stabbing has been praised for his bravery.

PC Richard Eggington had only been with Lancashire Constabulary for a few weeks when he and patrol partner PC Pete Latham came across a man lying in a pool of blood in Redearth Road, Darwen, and another male stood over him with a knife.

The pair are among 15 police officers, two firemen and two members of the public from the east of the county who are being honoured for their heroic actions at the annual Pride of Lancashire awards.

PC Jillian Maltman and PC Stephen Maggs were commended for chasing a man armed with a carving knife after being called to a domestic disturbance at Trevor Close, Blackburn.

Both officers remained calm and as a result were able to give a clear descriptions and directions to colleagues who were also in pursuit, which led to the man's arrest.

PC Katherine Whitaker managed to arrest the owner of a dangerous dog, despite the animal attacking her.

PC Whitaker had attended the house in Birtwistle Street, Great Harwood, after paramedics were called to give treatment to the man and noticed his dog was an illegal breed.

Sgt Joseph Worden, PC Mark Edwards, PC Patrick Bowditch and PC James Evans were noted for their work in talking a man down from the motorway bridge at Guide.

Firefighters Shane Ramsdale and Antony Gaffney were given outstanding bravery awards after receiving burns while battling a hotel fire in Blackburn.

Members of the public Robert Morton and James Clegg were praised for entering a burning building to save a 91-year-old man from a house fire in Clayton-le-Moors.

Lancashire Constabulary Chief Constable Steve Finnigan said: "It makes me feel immensely proud as a Chief Constable that frontline officers and members of the public put themselves into situations in order to protect others or to apprehend offenders.

"There are lots of people in the county who do work that's really valuable to the community but no-one ever gets to know about.

"The Pride of Lancashire Awards are a really good chance for them to get deserved recognition for their efforts."

Other recipients included a team of police officers who took on prisoner after he escaped from custody with the help of a machete wielding gang have been honoured for their bravery.

The man had been sprung from a police van while on his way to magistrates court in Manchester in March last year.

He was later spotted in Rawtenstall and PC Vicky Hogarth quickly recognised the significance of the threat and called for assistance.

PC Mark Rigby and PC Gareth Henderson rushed to help, along with Chief Inspector Jeff Brown and the man was arrested.

PC Jon Penson was also given an award for taking on two men in Brierfield who were arguing, one armed with a 12 inch kitchen knife.

Sgt Antony Doherty was praised for his actions after he was attacked while confronting a group of men in a stolen car when he left his shift at Nelson police station.

He chased the offenders and reported the incident to control room before he was set upon by the gang.

Three men were later arrested.