A POLICE officer from York who took on a knife-carrying bike thief in the middle of a busy road has been nominated for a national bravery award.

PC Richard Farrar has been nominated at the 23rd Police Bravery Awards in London, which are held by the Police Federation of England and Wales to recognise police officers who performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.

As reported in The Press, PC Farrar confronted Dean Richard Edwards - then 28 - after CCTV operators saw him acting suspiciously close to bike racks in Exhibition Square on September 26, 2015. Edwards became violent and tried to escape, and as PC Farrar tried to restrain him, they struggled into oncoming traffic, when PC Farrar heard metal hit the ground - later discovering it was a kitchen knife with an eight-inch blade which had been hidden in Edwards’ waist band.

Andy Haigh, a professional cage fighting judge from Leeds who is trained in Muay Thai boxing and jujitsu, was in York with his partner Diane for a birthday celebration, and helped restrain Edwards until backup arrived.

Edwards was jailed for 30 months, while PC Farrar received the North Yorkshire Police Public Award for Courage in November 2017.

He retired from the force in March after 27 years in policing, on grounds of ill health, after suffering with multiple sclerosis. He now visits primary and secondary schools in York teaching Bikeability cycling proficiency, which he said was “really rewarding”.

He said: “I am really honoured to be recognised and nominated. To be nominated and to represent North Yorkshire again in the National Police Bravery Awards is amazing, but twice in my NYP career, the first being back in 2004 , is a fantastic personal achievement.”

Stephen Mann, CEO of award sponsors Police Mutual, said: “The bravery and professionalism shown by PC Farrar went above and beyond the normal call of duty. He showed exceptional bravery, putting his own life at risk.”

The ceremony is on July 12 in London.