A POLICE officer based at Stevenage was awarded for his bravery at a ceremony in London last night (Thursday) attended by stars from ITV s The Bill. The Police Bravery Awards, which are organised by The National Police Federation and The Sun newspaper, we

A POLICE officer based at Stevenage was awarded for his bravery at a ceremony in London last night (Thursday) attended by stars from ITV's The Bill.

The Police Bravery Awards, which are organised by The National Police Federation and The Sun newspaper, were held at The Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane.

The annual event recognises the important jobs police officers do for their communities every day of their lives.

Pc Arron Worbey was awarded the regional award for his actions during an incident outside Boscombe Court in Pixmore Avenue, Letchworth GC in August 2007.

He was off duty when he came across a disturbance in the street. A group of men were arguing and one man was shot. While Pc Worbey administered first aid and called the police control room, the loaded gun was picked up by another man who threatened members of the public. Pc Worbey rushed at the man and safely took control of the gun without anyone else being injured.

Deputy Chief Constable Simon Parr said: "The force is very proud of Arron and I congratulate him for this award.

"Arron was praised at the ceremony for the incredible courage he displayed throughout the incident and for his dedication to protecting members of the public. The actions he took that day were highly commendable and it is right that he has been recognised with this award."

Neal Alston, Herts Police Federation chairman, said: "Aaron acted in the true spirit and tradition of Hertfordshire policing by stepping in and taking action to protect members of the public. He has rightly been recognised for his actions and is to be congratulated.

"We are proud that one of our own has won this national Federation award. The circumstances of this incident show the dangers faced by all our officers daily and his actions are a shining example of the work that they do too."

Pc Worbey was also recently given the Royal Humane Society Police Medal and an Association of Police Officers (ACPO) bravery award.