Courageous members of the public recognised for assisting the police and their community
Two members of the public, including a 17-year-old, have been recognised alongside a police officer for their bravery and selflessness at a recent awards ceremony in Plymouth.
In September 2023, Police Constable (PC) Weston was on patrol in Stonehouse, Plymouth, when she noticed two men acting suspiciously. After PC Weston and a colleague walked towards them, the two men quickly separated to avoid the officers and ran.
An attempt was made by PC Weston's colleague to stop one of the men, who violently resisted and tried to strangle the officer. He then attempted to run away from the scene but was tackled by a brave member of the public, 17-year-old Niamh Taylor-May, who was waiting to be picked up from work.
Niamh’s efforts to stop the man allowed time for the officer to spray him with incapacitation spray and prevent him from evading the police. Unknown to Niamh at the time, the man was carrying a machete, posing an additional threat to the local community.
Niamh’s courageous efforts and the officer’s use of incapacitation spray briefly stopped the man, however he managed to break free and climb over a nearby wall.
PC Weston caught up with him however he still resisted, trying to jump over parked cars along a residential street.
After returning home from visiting family, another brave member of the public, Ryan Hammond, spotted PC Weston trying to stop the offender and rushed to the lone officer’s aid to help her secure the man and prevent him from evading the police again.
The bravery of both Niamh and Ryan, alongside the two officers’ determination to apprehend the offenders, resulted in dangerous weapons including an imitation pistol, a machete, and a large knife being taken off our streets.
Chief Superintendent Matt Longman said “Niamh, Ryan and PC Weston were all awarded the Chief Superintendent’s Commendation award at our recent ceremony due to their brave and selfless efforts to help the police successfully take a dangerous criminal off our streets.
“We are so grateful for Niamh and Ryan’s selflessness to come and support the police in very challenging and frightening circumstances.
“As a result of their efforts, we were able to seize harmful weapons from our streets and bring another criminal to justice.”
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