Man threatened officers with 'gun'

Two Shropshire police officers who were threatened by a man they believed had a real gun are in the running for a national bravery award.

Constables Tim Street and Lee Grantham feared for their lives when the man pointed the imitation firearm at them as they tried to talk to him about vandalised cars in Bridgnorth. They found two damaged vehicles after receiving a report of a man smashing cars with an iron bar.

Their inquiries led them to a nearby address where a man appeared at the front door, concealing his right hand behind his back.

The suspect refused to show the officers what he was hiding before suddenly stepping forward, producing the revolver-type weapon, aiming it at Constable Grantham's chest.

The man had his finger on the trigger and both officers, believing at the time that the gun was real, were fearful of their lives.

Shouting

They attempted to reason with the man asking him to put the weapon down but he continued to walk towards them, moving the pistol from one officer to the other, shouting at them as he did so.

The officers were able to take cover behind their police vehicle while continuing to ask the man to drop the imitation gun.

The man dropped the imitation revolver after negotiations, which gave the officers a chance to get him on the ground and search him during the incident in January 2009.

The officers will find out if they have won the Sun Police Bravery Award at a ceremony in London on Thursday.

Sergeant Andy White, West Mercia Police Federation chairman, said: "The officers' actions portrayed the highest level of bravery in a life-threatening situation.

"Every day police officers are called upon to make split-second decisions which not only protect themselves but the public as a whole. The officers acted with great courage and bravery when faced with what seemed the gravest situation anyone would fear."

Barry Preece, of Bridgnorth, who was then 51, admitted affray, criminal damage and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and was jailed for a year in April 2009.

By Lisa Rowley