A Southend woman who ran to the aid of a police officer being threatened with a knife is among heroes being honoured this week by Essex Chief Constable David Stevens.

Jennifer Robinson showed no concern for her own safety when she ran to help an officer who was struggling to arrest a violent man on September 13, her commendation says.

She attempted to restrain the man and, in doing so, was assaulted.

But her quick actions gave the officer enough time to restrain the man properly and save himself serious injury, having been threatened with a knife.

Meanwhile Special Constable Matthew Smith, who is based at Rayleigh, is commended for his actions at the scene of a fatal road accident on July 3.

He was travelling along the M11 motorway in his capacity as an ambulance technician for Thames Ambulance Company when he came across a jack-knifed lorry, his commendation says.

A car crashed into the back of the ambulance, causing the driver's death and Special Con Smith serious injury.

Nonetheless he used his paramedic skills to treat people who were more seriously injured than himself.

The third recipient of honours, Sgt Peter Rawlings, from Rayleigh, is commended for his "tenacity and commitment to duty" for his actions on October 29, 2001, which resulted in the arrest of a man and recovery of a stolen lorry load worth £1.2million.

All three recipients will be given their Chief Constable's Commendations at a ceremony at police headquarters in Chelmsford on Friday.

Published Wednesday, April 9, 2003

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