Bravery on railways hailed

British Transport Police (BTP) officers, railway staff and members of the public were commended for their initiative and bravery at the BTP North East Awards.

Area Commander Superintendent Nick Bracken presented the gongs at the ceremony at the Metropole Hotel, Leeds, yesterday.

Staff and officers from York were among those receiving the commendations.

Acting Sergeant Simon Litchfield, PC Tim Woolven, ex-PC Neil Morton and DC Gary Heseltine all received a chief constable's commendation for an incident in July 2000.

The officers were on plain-clothes observations when they became aware of two young men behaving suspiciously.

They followed the men and one was arrested. During the arrest the man struggled violently but was found to be in possession of heroin worth £38,500.

As a result of their actions and the subsequent investigation, the man was jailed for four years at Leeds Crown Court.

PC Woolven also received an area commander's commendation, along with DS Derek O'Mara, for an investigation in June last year which concluded with an arrest.

The arrest resulted in the recovery of over 700 stolen items, and a man receiving a two-year prison sentence.

And two GNER staff, Danny Cherry and Stuart Rawcliffe, who have worked together for ten years at York Station, also received an area commander's commendation. The two men had previously reported a suspected luggage thief, but there had been insufficient evidence to pursue the matter.

Later the men witnessed the suspect removing a bicycle from a train and challenged him. He ran away but was detained and later received two months in prison.

Supt Bracken said at the ceremony: "The commendations are awarded for those who go beyond the call of duty to make the railway a safer environment.

"It is very pleasing to see railway staff as well as police officers at this ceremony and I want to thank everyone for the great work they do."

Updated: 10:49 Tuesday, November 27, 2001