Police Bravery Awards 2008 - Region 4 Winner - Nottinghamshire officer Mick Booth
STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 10 PM THURSDAY JULY 10
NO APPROACH TO BE MADE TO WINNING OFFICER BEFORE 10PM
Nottinghamshire officer scoops regional bravery award
PC Mick Booth clinched the title at The Dorchester on 10th July in the presence of Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith and a host of celebrities.
The annual awards are organised by the Police Federation of England and Wales and sponsored by The Sun Newspaper.
The officer received one of eight regional awards at the glittering award ceremony which followed a reception at 10 Downing Street where he, and 64 other nominees, met the Prime Minister.
PC Booth courageously entered a blazing car to save an offender. In November 2006, the officer was pursued an offender at high speed, following an incident. The man was driving erratically, lost control and collided with a tree.
When the officer arrived at the scene, the car appeared empty with extensive damage throughout and no windscreen. PC Booth believed the offender had already fled, considering the amount of time that had lapsed before he arrived at the scene. The car burst in to flames but through the dense smoke the officer could see feet sticking out over the dashboard. With no thoughts for his own life, PC Booth climbed through the windscreen space and pulled the unconscious offender from the car.
Once out of the car the offender regained consciousness and told PC Booth that there was a woman trapped in the back of the car. The officer left the offender and attempted to find the woman through the intense heat and smoke using his torch but he could not see her. During this time, the offender tried to escape and the officer realised he had lied about the woman.
PC Booth managed to hold the offender and administered first aid to him. This was an incredible act of bravery, with an officer placing the safety of an offender before his own.
Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation which organises the Police Bravery Awards, said:
“This officer deserves the utmost praise for putting the life of an offender before his own. He took considerable risks to ensure there was nobody killed or injured. This officer is a credit to the police service. We hope this award goes some way towards recognising his heroic actions.”
Editor of The Sun Newspaper Rebekah Wade said:
“This police officer faced a terrifying and unpredictable situation. They showed extraordinary bravery in tackling such violent offenders despite knowing one of their colleagues had been shot. Their selfless courage deserves the highest praise and it is an honour for The Sun to have this opportunity to recognise the dedication of such heroic officers.”
NOTE TO EDITORS
For further details, or to arrange an interview with Mick Booth, call Mick Taylor on 01159 672570. No approach should be made before 10 pm.
A video reconstruction and footage of the Downing Street reception and awards ceremony is available from 9am on Friday 11th July by calling Lorna Carmichael on 020 7782 4322.
Photographs of the nominees with the Prime Minister will be available at 9.00 am on Friday 13th July from the Sun picture desk. Contact Adrian Smith on 020 7782 4199.
For further information contact: Rachel Barnet/Una Carney at the Police Federation on 0137 235 2071 or Lorna Carmichael at the Sun Newspaper on 07836 340423.
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