A Burnham-On-Sea police officer has this week been presented with a top award after saving the life of a man who had been stabbed.
PC Adrian Jones, who is based at Burnham Police Station and works on the Highbridge beat, was presented with the Chief Constable’s Commendation at the annual Avon and Somerset Police Awards ceremony held on Tuesday morning (February 8th).
The event was led by Deputy Chief Constable Rob Beckley and also attended by High Sheriff of Somerset, Pat Hunt.
In June 2009, a well known group of criminal offenders approached two young men on a petrol forecourt in the town. The offenders seriously assaulted the men, stabbing one of them in the arm. The victims fled the scene, however due to their injuries, they staggered into the road and only managed to get a short distance.
PC Adrian Jones had just finished duty in Highbridge and was travelling home when he came across the young men in the road. He immediately pulled over to help them and quickly identified that they were both suffering with injuries, one of them severe.
He made contact with the police and ambulance, at the same time as administering first aid to the stab victim. The victim was bleeding profusely from his wound and, using his own clothing, PC Jones applied pressure and a dressing.
After the victims had been taken to hospital, PC Jones immediately returned to duty and attended the petrol forecourt to view available CCTV.
Using his local knowledge and available intelligence, he identified four suspects to other officers and directed them to possible locations. Vital evidence – namely clothing and the weapon used – was recovered by the completion of searches upon arrest which was crucial to proving the offence.
“The exceptional actions of PC Jones were instrumental in preserving the life of the victim and the prompt and positive arrest of the offenders,” Deputy Chief Constable Rob Beckley said at Tuesday’s ceremony.
Pictured top is Adrian and his wife Nikki and, above, with Deputy Chief Constable Rob Beckley and High Sheriff Pat Hunt
