Dog handler 'honoured' to be nominated for award

PC Chris Duffy is back on the beat with Reno

A police dog handler whose skull was left exposed after he was attacked from behind has said it is a "real honour" to be nominated for a Pride of Britain award.

PC Chris Duffy, who works for Nottinghamshire Police, was trying to arrest his attacker's brother when he was struck with a "highly dangerous" weapon in March 2023.

He was left with a seven-inch wound on the back of his head, but he managed to get up and track his attacker down.

PC Duffy, a former firearms officer, said it was "great to be back out" with police dog Reno.

The officer was assaulted after he and Reno were called to The Sunnydale Inn in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, where his attacker - Mason Perkins - had been barred and his brother was in an alleyway.

Nottingham Crown Court heard Perkins entered the alleyway and politely asked the officer if he could pass.

Mason Perkins was jailed for more than 11 years

PC Duffy, believing Perkins was an innocent member of the public, moved to allow him to walk behind.

He then felt "a tremendous blow" to the back of his head, and Perkins continued the assault after PC Duffy fell to the floor.

Perkins escaped but was spotted about 15 minutes later by PC Duffy and arrested.

He was handed an 11-and-a-half year sentence at Nottingham Crown Court in January.

'Huge' courage

PC Duffy, who has since returned to work, said: "What happened that night was difficult to come to terms with, and I still experience pain as a result of the wound I received.

"Going back on duty was challenging at first but I have 100% faith in Reno and it's been great to be back out there with him.

"We've been together for a long time now and I'm looking forward to continuing our service in the future."

PC Duffy is one of four nominees for the Pride of Britain This Morning Emergency Services award.

Supt Louise Clarke said the force was "really proud" of PC Duffy.

"Chris has shown a huge amount of courage - not only on the night in question but also over the weeks and months since he and PD Reno have returned to duty," she said.

"In doing so, he has shown all the qualities and more that the public expect from their police officers."