Kent Police officers who displayed bravery and courage while keeping the public safe have been rewarded for their actions.

On Tuesday the Police Training School, on Coverdale Avenue, hosted the awards where a handful of PCs were recognised by chief constable Alan Pughsley.

Among them was an officer who was dragged along by an uncooperative motorist behind the wheel of a car in Larkfield, and a team of seven officers in Gravesend.

In July 2014 PC John Fordham approached the driver in a London Road car park and was in discussions with him through the vehicle’s window.

The man then attempted to flee the scene, taking the officer with him and subsequently leaving him at a nearby set of traffic lights.

The offender was quickly identified and sentenced to three years in prison for dangerous driving in September.

Also recognised at the awards ceremony was PC Robert Edge and PCSOs Brendan Kennedy and Sam Berry who were part of a team of seven officers who attended reports of concern for the welfare of a man at a railway bridge in Huntley Road, Gravesend, in February last year.

After arriving the group faced a challenging environment with a man was lying injured next to a live railway line.

Agitated onlookers began turning against each other as tensions increased.

Despite being faced with a spontaneous public order incident while trying to reach the injured man safely, the officers remained calm and managed to gain the cooperation of the public which helped save the man’s life and prevent others from getting hurt.

Mr Pughsley said: “These commendation ceremonies provide us with an opportunity to showcase the excellent and courageous work my officers carry out as they provide a first class service to the people of Kent.

“They are confronted with dangerous and challenging situations every day – situations many would choose to walk away from. ‘But my officers will run towards danger as they look to protect the public for harm and it gives me great pride to be able to recognise their courage.”