Kent Police officers nominated for bravery awards

PCs Nadia Shah and Callum Tuckett were nominated after saving a woman from a fire

Kent Police officers who rescued a distressed woman from a house fire have been nominated for national bravery awards.

PCs Callum Tuckett, Nadia Shah and two unidentified officers responded to reports that a woman suffering a mental health crisis had set her home on fire.

They entered the burning property and managed to carry the woman - who was said to be volatile and resisting help - through a narrow corridor to safety.

Kent's Chief Constable Tim Smith said: “The officers demonstrated immense bravery by entering a burning building in order to rescue a very vulnerable member of the public, risking their lives to save hers."

The four officers have been nominated for the national Police Bravery Awards, which are organised by the Police Federation.

It said Kent Fire and Rescue Service has commended all of the officers for their "collective and courageous actions" in saving the woman and preserving the life of others.

Neil Mennie, chair of Kent Police Federation, said the officers “demonstrated courage and acted without hesitation to save the life of the individual concerned".

He said: "Often the cliché of the burning building is used as an example in a number of ‘what if’ scenarios alluding to decision making and bravery.

"There can be few environments as dangerous [as] contending with fire and potentially a highly toxic deadly atmosphere."

Ch Cons Smith: "I am extremely grateful to them for their lifesaving efforts, as I am for every other officer who routinely goes above and beyond the call of duty."