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PCs Mark Churms and Michael O’Connor with Chief Superintendent Barry Norman
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‘Don’t call us heroes’ say PCs in blazing bike rescue drama
Policewoman who had her nose broken by thief among 42 officers honoured
TWO policemen who dragged a moped rider from his blazing bike have shrugged off the “heroes” tag.
PCs Michael O’Connor and Mark Churms were honoured at a commendation ceremony at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on Monday.
They were among 42 officers praised for their tenacity and courage by outgoing borough commander Barry Norman. Among those honoured were two WPCs, one who had her nose broken by a car thief and another who ran half a mile to chase a suspect, although she says she never goes to the gym.
PC Churms, 19 years in the force, described how the two PCs received a 999 call to a car crash at the bottom of Crouch Hill in Finsbury Park.
He said: “We arrived to see a collision between a car and moped. The rider was lying face down on the floor and the bike was already in flames – you could smell the fuel and feel the heat. The petrol tank had ruptured and it was all over the road. We knew the rider was in a great deal of danger.”
The officers dragged the teenage moped rider to safety, despite PC O’Connor’s hair being set on fire.
Another commended officer, PC Liam Feeney, was attacked while attending a domestic violence call in Holloway. He was interviewing the victim at her home when her son came home and became “immediately aggressive and violent” towards his mother. PC Feeney stepped between them. He said: “I had to control him so I used the handcuff I had managed to get on one wrist to take him down. But I slipped on the floor and took quite a few kicks in the back and head.”
The man later received a 12-month community service and supervision order while PC Feeney’s injuries kept him off frontline duties for six months. PC Emma Pittman was commended for running almost half-a-mile to catch her suspect. She still mustered enough energy to contain him, despite claiming never to go to the gym.
Sergeant Damian Southall and PCs Carol McIntyre and Julie Whewell won commendations for running anti-knife and drug operations which netted 63 arrests.
Commended PCs Jon Kelly and Rachel Snow were attacked when they investigated reports of a car thief in Richmond Crescent, Barnsbury.
During his arrest, a 6ft 2in ‘hulk’ headbutted PC Snow, breaking her nose. PC Kelly was bitten on the arm by the man, who said: “I’m going to disease you.”
Chief Superintendent Norman said: “The bravery PCs Snow, Kelly and Feeney showed is worthy of even higher recognition. We will see each other again.”
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