POLICE officers who saved the lives of people in York's rivers have been honoured for their efforts.

One, PC Mike Cooper, was dealing with a drunk and aggressive group on Ouse Bridge on Valentine's Day when he saw a very drunk and unsteady woman climb onto the parapet. He caught her and took her full weight as she fell, and managed to pull her to safety before she plunged into the flooded river.

In March, PC Lee Wilson and a colleague rescued a man who had jumped from Ouse Bridge to evade officers, pulling him from the water on to Queen's Staith so he could receive medical care.

In a separate incident that month, PC Richard Farrar used a parasol base as a makeshift flotation device, to rescue a man who had jumped into the Foss to avoid police and had gone into shock from the cold.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Lisa Winward, presenting the awards, said: "The officers involved in these rescues have displayed quick thinking, bravery and inventiveness, putting their own safety at risk in the process. We have seen too many tragedies in our rivers in the past, PCs Cooper, Farrar and Wilson and their colleagues, can be extremely proud of the fact that they have prevented several more."

Members of the public and Police Community Support Officers were also recognised at an awards ceremony held by North Yorkshire Police yesterday, for their quick thinking when faced with life or death situations.

Officers in Scarborough who had helped give first aid to men in the town who had self-inflicted injuries in separate incidents were also praised, as were PC John-Simon Coleman and his two colleagues who, in December 2013, managed to restrain a man armed with a knife who had caused serious facial injuries to a woman.

Also praised were:

  • PC Chris Coleman and his two colleagues who rescued a drunk and abusive woman from a cold beck in Bedale in October 2013
  • PCSO Grenville Dowson, for his work with the community and as a mentor for other PCSOs, and his identification of offenders involved in several incidents around the city
  • PCSO Matthew Lewis and PC Oliver Ingham who administered CPR to an elderly York woman who was found unconscious in her home. The actions of PCSO Lewis and PC Ingham meant her family were able to be at her side when she later died.

T/Chief Supt Winward said: "These people are a credit to their communities and we are very proud to have such dedicated and compassionate people living and working in North Yorkshire.

"Their actions have saved lives, comforted those in distress and made life better for their communities. We are also honoured to have a member of the public with us who risked his own safety to help another person."