Police officers awarded during commendation ceremony (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Wandsworth police officers awarded during commendation ceremony

2:00pm Thursday 11th October 2012 in News By Alexandra Rucki

Police officers were handed out awards for preventing murders, warding off vigilantes and aiding victims during a ceremony on Tuesday.

The award ceremony for Wandsworth MPS saw 35 awards given to officers and members of the public in the Wandsworth Town Hall Civic Suite, Wandsworth High Street.

Borough Commander Chief Superintendent David Chinchen handed out certificates, alongside Superintendent Paul McGregor and Chief Inspector Dale Anderton.

Acting Superintendent Dawn Morris, Detective Chief Inspector Jim Foley and Councillor Jonathan Cook, cabinet member for community safety, also spoke during the event.

Sarah Cashman, of Carshalton, was awarded for helping with the arrest of two girls who stole an elderly woman’s handbag last year.

The 29-year-old chased after the pair across Wandsworth Common, while she was five weeks pregnant and alerted the attention of a police van.

She said: "I just reacted really. I heard the lady screaming, saw the girls running. I just decided I would do something.

"It happened a year ago, I was not expecting anything."

Police Constable Thomas Haji-Savva received an award for helping stop two intruders pretending to be bodyguards for the Cypriot president.

He was helping with security during the Cyprus Wine Festival and Business Exhibition in Alexandra Palace in June 2011, when it was discovered there were two intruders masking as police.

PC Haji-Savva held a mock briefing and discovered the culprits as they did not have ID, with President Dimitris Christofias thanking him personally.

He said: "There were two people pretending to be close protection officers. So we held a mock briefing, these two gentleman were trying to disrupt the occasion.

"It is one of those things you just deal with at the time."

Park Police Constable Reg Mille and Keith Walker, alongside Police Constable Keith Walker, Glen Cheal and Lee Harding were awarded for arresting a jewellery shop robber.

An angry mob of 50 traders and neighbours greeted them when they arrived at the scene.

They were able to successfully arrest the man, while ward off the angry vigilantes and save the man from being attacked.

A team of police were commended for their work in convicting the murderer of Julie Sheriff, who was stabbed in the head with an afro comb.

An award was also given out to Detective Constable Sam Williams who discovered the mugger of Prince Harry's friend's phone, while 15 officers were commended for being the top community safety team in London.

Chief Supt Chinchen said: "The tragic events in Manchester bring home the dangers my officers face. I’m proud to stand here today and commend my officers publicly."

"When I speak to officers following these events they always give me comments like 'It is just part of the job governor, it is no big deal' - I want to put that to bed."

Another ceremony is expected to take place in early 2013.