POLICE officers who helped bring the York City Art Gallery robbers to justice were being commended at an award ceremony today.

Masked thieves wielding a sawn-off shotgun and an automatic pistol stole priceless paintings from the gallery in January, 1999.

The 19 works, including a Turner painting of Rievaulx Abbey, were later recovered.

Detective Inspector Phil Metcalfe, of York police, will be commended for his leadership and professionalism in managing the investigation and Detective Constable Trevor Dove will be commended for his tenacity and professionalism.

Commendations also go to other officers who have asked not to be named for professional reasons.

Also at the ceremony at North Yorkshire Police Headquarters in Northallerton, two Malton constables, Michael Pannett and Ian Barrett, will be commended for their courage and professionalism in dealing with a violent domestic dispute in the town.

Both parties involved in the dispute brandished knives and were extremely agitated but due to the actions of PC Pannett and Barrett they were restrained and no-one was injured.

A posthumous commendation will also be awarded to PC Kevin Green of Tadcaster.

PC Green, who died in a road accident on May 9, is commended for his professionalism, courage and determination in pursuing and arresting an armed burglar.

Alone, he arrested the man despite a vicious assault, and held him until assistance arrive.

Carole Green will receive her husband's commendation.

Two fire and rescue officers - acting station officer Michael Rivers and firefighter Justin Rowe - will receive certificates of appreciation for the courage and bravery they showed when trying to dissuade a distressed man from jumping 80ft from the roof of Brunswick Shopping Centre in Scarborough.

Long service medals also go to section officer Susan Ryder from Selby, Chief Superintendent Gary Barnett, commander of the York-based central area, Chief Inspector Les Potter, from Harrogate, Inspector Nicholas Verity, of York, Inspector Chris Chelton, of Harrogate, Sergeant David Williams, of York, Detective Constable David Metcalfe, of Harrogate, Detective Constable Gary Craig Wilson, of York and DC John Lintott, of Selby.

Retired officers PC Barry Hyndman, of Thirsk and PC Trevor Dougall, of Harrogate, will also receive long service awards.

Updated: 12:20 Friday, September 21, 2001