TWO police officers have been thanked by the Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Dame Lynne Owens after they detained a man for sexual assault offences in London.

It is alleged that a 19-year-old man exposed himself and pushed into the mourners from behind as they waited in line at Victoria Tower Gardens in Westminster, central London, on Wednesday evening.

Humberside Police officers DC Connolly and PC Wright, who are currently deployed in London supporting the Met as part of the Queen's funeral support, were alerted to the incident by a member of the public and acted swiftly. When confronted, it is alleged the suspect entered the River Thames in an attempt to evade the officers, before coming out and being arrested by the pair.

On hearing about the incident Deputy Commissioner Dame Lynne Owens met with the two officers to personally thank them for their fast thinking and decisive action.

The man was remanded in custody on Friday after appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

Humberside Police’s Assistant Chief Constable, Dave Marshall said: “It is good to hear that our officers are representing the Force well while supporting the Metropolitan Police Service for Her Majesty’s Funeral. To be thanked personally by the Deputy Commissioner in her first week is testament to the officers’ decisive action and effective policing.”

The Humberside Police area borders York to the east, covering Stamford Bridge, Pocklington and Beverley in East Yorkshire.