PCs Stu Francis and Grant Hawkins of the Essex Police have been recognized at the Essex Police Federation Bravery Awards for their courageous rescue of a woman in a perilous situation. In July 2023, while on patrol, the officers were alerted by a member of the public to a critical incident involving a woman hanging by her fingertips from the edge of a tall building in West Drayton.
Upon arriving at the scene, the officers found the woman barely conscious, clinging to the building’s edge. With no time to spare and no safe footing, PCs Francis and Hawkins quickly retrieved a collapsing ladder from their vehicle. Demonstrating quick thinking and bravery, they managed to climb to the roof and navigate to the woman along a narrow ledge.
PC Francis recounted the tense moments: “We were able to get up onto the roof of the building where she was, and then we were able to climb along the edge and manage to get to her. By which point she’d sort of lowered herself off the edge and was hanging on just by her hands and her feet dangling over the precipice.”
Together, the officers successfully pulled the woman to safety. She subsequently lost consciousness, believed to be due to an overdose, and was immediately tended to by the officers until emergency medical services arrived. The quick response and decisive actions of PCs Francis and Hawkins not only saved the woman from a potentially fatal fall but also ensured she received the necessary medical attention promptly.
Chief Constable of Essex Police praised the officers, stating, “Their heroic actions and quick thinking under pressure exemplify the bravery and dedication our officers must be prepared to display in the line of duty. We are incredibly proud to have such courageous individuals serving our community.”
The bravery awards ceremony provided a moment to recognize the significant risks police officers face and their commitment to protecting lives in critical situations. PCs Francis and Hawkins’ actions highlight the challenging and often perilous situations law enforcement officers encounter and their readiness to respond with heroism
