Acts of outstanding bravery and dedication by police officers were rewarded at a special presentation evening.

The Wilson Trophy, awarded to the officer or officers who performed the most praiseworthy act in the past year, is shared this year by Maldon Sgt Stewart Gason and PC Alexander Black, of Dengie Community Policing Team.

In December, they went to a house fire in The Causeway, Maldon, and found the front of the property was engulfed in flames.

Trophy - PC Simon Knightly, of Colchester police, at the police awards ceremony.

They were told a woman was trapped inside.

Unable to get into the house through the front because of the intense heat and flames, they ran round to the back and then heard an explosion inside.

Despite the risk of further explosions, they tried to get into the burning building, found the trapped woman and managed to coax her towards them and get her out of the house.

PC Simon Knightly, the youth initiatives officer, based at Colchester, was awarded the Millard Trophy.

The award is given for the greatest contribution to social services in the community to further police/ public relations.

HM Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Braybrooke, accompanied by Essex Chief Constable David Stevens, also presented police long service and good conduct medals to officers commemorating 22 years' service.

Published Thursday, March 7, 2002