Merseyside Police Officers Commended For Bravery

Photographs courtesy of Merseyside Police.

ON 18 May 2006 Merseyside Police Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe commended two of his constables whose actions helped to prevent an armed robbery in Liverpool.

The result of the offices actions has also resulted in the offender, Martin James McMurrie, aged 18 years from Alvanley Road in West Derby, being sentence six year in Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, 17 March 2006.

Merseyside police said that:- "At around 4.30pm Constables Mike O'Hara, 38, and Daniel Jones, 27, were on patrol in plain clothes on Edge Lane when they noticed a man acting suspiciously and then pull his hood up over his head before going into a nearby bookmakers.

The officers ran to the door of the bookmakers, where they saw the 18 year old, turn and head for the exit. The officers also noticed that the offender was carrying a handgun. The officers then charged at the offender, disarming him of what turned out to be a loaded handgun.

Nobody was injured during the incident but a member of staff was left very shaken."

Constable Daniel Jones said:- "My actions on that day were instinctive. Although I was nervous about what we'd come up against, my main concern was protecting the people in the bookmakers and arresting the man who was responsible for this terrible act. I'm very proud to have received this commendation but, that aside, if I was confronted with the same situation tomorrow, I would do the same thing."

Constable Mike O'Hara said:- "Looking back it was a very nerve-wrecking experience. We didn't think twice and our main concern was arresting the man. We were perhaps very lucky we weren't injured."

Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe said:- "I am very proud of these two officers. This is a clear example of the type of situations our officers must deal with and they have shown an incredible amount of courage. Many would consider their actions to be part of an officers everyday work. But their quick-thinking and selfless behaviour has helped to make the streets of Merseyside a safer place. Well done Mike and Daniel!"

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