MEMBERS of the public who stopped to help others joined police officers receiving awards for bravery, hard work and outstanding service.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Love and Chiltern Vale Area Commander Superintendent John Donlon presented a host of awards at the event at the Royal British Legion, St Mary Street, High Wycombe, on Friday.

Wycombe-based police officers PC Chris Allman, WPC Jenny Cunningham and PC Gerard Bourdillon were praised for their courage and professionalism in preventing a suicidal woman from jumping from a motorway bridge on the M40.

The three officers dragged the woman to safety after she had cut her wrists.

In another terrifying incident passer-by Stephen Glisbey, of Pinions Road, High Wycombe, put out the flames when a man was on fire in Wingate Avenue and received an award for his 'immense courage and quick thinking'.

Doran Jensen, scenes of crime officer, and PC Dave Bray, area beat officer for Chesham, were nominated for their hard work and dedication in catching a man responsible for a spate of criminal damage and burglaries in Chesham.

Their investigation, during which they obtained glass and blood samples and used CCTV footage, made sure a man was arrested and charged.

Police volunteers Patsy Middleton, based at Amersham, and Ken Gabriel, based at Beaconsfield, were rewarded for their hard work.

Sgt John Nesbitt and PC Martin Gomm were commended for their consistently high standard of work particularly after Operation Goldfish last December when officers raided Wapsey's Wood caravan site, Gerrards Cross, arresting 11 people and recovering a firearm.

PC Michael Stone, based at Wycombe, was praised for his care and professionalism after he brought round an unconscious woman who had cut her wrists in her home.

Others honoured included Sgt Sue Martin, of Marlow police, DC Nick Hind, based at Wycombe, and Sgt Rob Hood, of Amersham Police. WPC Ailsa Kent based at High Wycombe received her Confirmation of Appointment certificate to mark the end of her probationary period.

Supt Donlon said at the ceremony: "I firmly believe that it is extremely important for us as an organisation to recognise the excellent work which is done by all our staff on a day to day basis.

"When those people do something above and beyond what we and the public expect of them, we need to do something extra to show our thanks.

"These occasions also provide an opportunity to recognise the excellent bravery which members of the public display when faced with dangerous situations."