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Search forRecognition for brave Crawley police officers
Thursday, November 20, 2008, 11:47
A police awards ceremony for the North Downs area was held last Thursday - and Crawley Police Station was well-represented.
The winners, who were recognised at the ceremony in Slaugham Manor, Handcross, included an officer who climbed a tree to save the life of a man determined to hang himself.
PS Andy Sanford responded to a 999 call from a member of the public calling in a heavily wooded area of Woodhams Hill, Broadfield.
The man's friend was attempting to hang himself from a tree.
PC Sanford climbed the tree and tried to calm the man - but he attempted to jump.
The brave PC somehow managed to grab hold of the rope around the man's neck to ease the pressure on his throat, before cutting him free.
The suicidal man was later able to thank PS Sanford after he had mentally recovered, and is now rebuilding his life.
Another Crawley police hero, PS Jon Bryant, was rewarded for his rise to become a highly respected sergeant - without having a single sickness day since 1990.
His last day of sick leave, 18 years ago, was due to a heavy cold.
PC Matt Wilson was awarded for his determination in solving a protracted sexual assault case.
He began an investigation after police received a call stating a man had been sexually assaulted in the gym of a Crawley hotel.
It turned out that the victim was only 16. PC Wilson showed tenacity in tracking down one witness who lived as far away as Wales, before eventually leading to the offender being charged with sexual assault and exposure.
PC Darren Shannon won his award for 'fantastic police work and dogged determination' after he stopped a car which led to six arrests and the recovery of £2,000 cash, a large quantity of Class A drugs and stolen property.
Crawley PCs Nev Whiteley and Karrie Bohana and PCSOs Brian Vacher and Allyson Mims were also rewarded.
TOP COPS: Crawley's finest with their awards
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