A pair of police officers who rescued a man from a river and a PCSO who talked a man out of jumping from a bridge have been recognised during an awards ceremony.

Police Constable Christopher Williams and his partner attended a location near Fairmeadow, Maidstone, on November 16, 2018, where a man in the River Medway was in a life-threatening situation.

He was struggling to keep above water and despite concerns for their own safety the officers were able to reach him, hold onto his hands and eventually pull him to safety.

On January 16 both officers were recognised for their professionalism, commitment and dedication to the role of a police officer at a Divisional Commander’s Awards ceremony, for west Kent.

Held at the Kent Police Training School in Maidstone the ceremony also recognised a community support officer, who along with a colleague located a vulnerable person reported missing and prevented him from coming to serious harm.

PCSO Budde carried out a search for the person, who had learning difficulties, on October 5 in Millennium Park, Maidstone.

When the man was found he attempted to jump from a bridge and into a river but PCSO Budde prevented him from doing, safely restraining him until further help arrived.

Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Simon Wilson, who presented a total of 20 Certificate of Merit awards during the ceremony, said: "Kent Police officers are called to difficult and potentially dangerous situations every day. They regularly put themselves in harm’s way to protect members of the public, which is why it is right they receive the recognition they deserve."

Others who received awards included a team of officers dedicated to tackling the supply of drugs in Maidstone. Operation Raptor is the force-wide response tasked with disrupting and dismantling criminals linked to county lines, drugs and the exploitation of vulnerable people.

Chief Supt Wilson said: "In the past 20 months the team has arrested over one hundred individuals, resulting in 35 convictions and prison sentences totalling more than 105 years. All the officers within Operation Raptor have consistently displayed the highest levels of tenacity, professionalism and commitment to their role and are a credit to Kent Police."

Recognition was also made to a successful initiative in Tunbridge Wells, where Constable Charlotte Brown was commended for her "initiative and professionalism in supporting young people".

PC Brown has been instrumental in galvanising the support of partner agencies, including Early Help and the St Giles Trust, to be involved with the Tunbridge Wells Youth Engagement Project.

The project has included regular days of action to steer teenagers away from crime and help protect them from violence, sexual exploitation or the misuse of drugs.

It has also led to dozens of young people taking part in in a six week course, which offers support and advice and learning around life skills.

Members of Kent Police’s Vulnerable Investigation Team were also awarded with Certificate of Merits, for their work in dealing with a number of serious cases, including the sexual abuse of children. Chief Supt Wilson added: "Those working within the specialist VIT team regularly deal with harrowing and often disturbing crimes and these cases require resilience and commitment from everyone in order to ensure prosecutions are successful. I’m also extremely proud of the exceptional care my officers are continuing to provide for victims as well as support for their families."