Officer “humbled and honoured” to get Bravery award

LANCASHIRE Constabulary’s PC Dave Pinnington has said he was “shocked, very humbled and honoured” to have been nominated for a National Police Bravery Award.

PC Pinnington – pictured at Downing Street – was nominated after single-handedly saving the life of a woman who was being stabbed. He said: “I just wanted to help the girl. I don’t think anything else comes into your mind. You just want to protect the public.”

He was speaking at the Police Federation’s National Bravery Awards, which included a glittering ceremony in London on 16 October.

Earlier in the day, PC Pinnington joined 65 of his colleagues from 31 forces around the country for a reception at 10 Downing Street with Prime Minister David Cameron as a mark of recognition for their heroic acts.

The brave officer’s wife, Anna, added: “I am extremely proud of my husband. When he told me what he had done, I wasn’t initially very happy but I am extremely proud indeed.”

Rachel Baines, Chairman of Lancashire Police Federation, said: “Dave really does show the finest traditions of Lancashire Constabulary. He is a very brave officer, I am really proud of him and he is really humbled by it. It always makes me smile that brave officers say that they are just doing their job. This is typical of Dave.”

PC Pinnington was on response duties when he attended a call from a woman being harassed by her ex-partner. When he arrived at the address, the door was bolted from the inside. He forced his way through the door and found a man on top of a woman, repeatedly stabbing her with a knife.

He pulled the man from her, disarmed him and restrained him until backup arrived.

A spokesman for the Police Federation of England and Wales added: “PC Pinnington had no idea what he would be faced with at the other side of the door but he bravely took control of the situation. Had it not been for his quick, selfless actions the woman may have been killed.”