Police officers and staff received awards for their work this morning.

A total of 22 commendations and awards were handed out at a ceremony today, including one to a member of the public.

Raymond Clarke, from Goodmayes, was commended for intervening in a domestic violence incident between a 16-year-old boy and his 18-year-old girlfriend on April 4 in Ilford Lane.

He pushed the male aside during the attack despite being abused, allowing the girl to shelter in a nearby petrol station until the police arrived.

Chief inspector Clive Darvill said: “You are commended for courage and community spirit by intervening in a violent assault, protecting a vulnerable victim and facilitating the arrest of a violent suspect.”

Police constable Jennifer Gascoin was commended for helping to rescue of an injured elderly woman and chosen as Police Constable of the Year.

In March, PC Gascoin was on patrol in Clarence Avenue, Gants Hill, when she noticed the woman was unwell.

She visited her a few days later at home to check on her, but on arriving at the property she heard cries for help.

She called response units who forced entry and found the woman had fallen out of her bath.
She was taken to hospital and PC Gascoin informed residents, family and close friends of what had happened.

PC Gascoin said: “Now that I’m on the Redbridge police team it means that it’s more personal and I get to see my residents and they have confidence in me.

“That’s enough for me. Even now I’m still in touch with the family which is great.”

Among the other commendations, PC Sean Murrell was awarded for administering life-saving resuscitation in August to a man who collapsed and stopped breathing in Moreland Road, Ilford.