POLICE chiefs praised the dedicated and sometimes life-saving work of their officers at an annual awards ceremony.

Officers, volunteers, staff and the public were presented with awards for their bravery in Brighton and Hove.

It included officers who had helped suicidal people from taking their own lives, PCs on the beat tackling violent road rage car thieves and officers attending serious crime scenes.

There were also awards for officers and detectives who helped earn the trust of victims in complicated domestic abuse cases or historic sexual abuse cases.

Chief Superintendent Nick May, who is Brighton’s Divisional Commander, said he was proud of the 60 people who received awards.

He said: “The officers, staff and volunteers work across Brighton and Hove and do a fantastic job. Sometimes this is really well reflected in the press, sometimes not so.

“But that doesn’t mean that each and every day there aren’t officers and staff doing their absolute best in incredibly trying situations.

“Everyone who has received an award should be very proud of the service they provide, the standard this year has been very high.”

The High Sheriff of East Sussex Violet Hancock and Brighton Mayor Alex Phillips were on hand to present awards alongside senior police chiefs at Sussex County Cricket Club in Hove.

Among those recognised were PC Steve Parson and PC Jamie Botting, who were called to a road rage incident and were threatened with knives.

There was also high praise for PC Jo Clarke, who was lifted in a cherrypicker up to the fourth floor of the half-demolished Kings House in Hove.

The brave PC tackled her own fear of heights to speak with a woman who was spotted there by concerned members of the public.

Presenting PC Clarke with her award was Superintendent Julia Pope who said: “Just looking at the pictures sent shivers down my spine.

“The woman was dangling over the edge of a sheer drop.

“PC Clarke stayed calm and talked her down.

“Ultimately she saved the woman’s life.

“She is a model police officer, always calm under pressure, able to adapt to situations, a real team player and valued member of the team.”

There was also praise for staff including probation officer Jenny Fowler, criminal justice unit manager Anna Laylaw and PCs Steve Matthews and Mark Davis for their work.

Full stories of some of the awards will be revealed in The Argus next week.