A POLICE officer was commended last night for his brave actions during a violent riot.

PC Stuart Allan held off people who were trying to get into an ambulance to attack two injured police officers during a disturbance in Berwick-upon-Tweed in 2007.

The officer happened upon the incident while visiting family in the area.

He was among more than 30 officers who were honoured during last night’s Police Awards and Commendations Ceremony.

PC Allan (pictured) arrived on the scene to find two officers knocked unconscious by the riotous mob. He immediately jumped to the aid of paramedics who were struggling to contain the thugs.

One of the injured officers required immediate evacuation by air ambulance. A nearby car park was identified as a suitable landing zone for the helicopter and PC Allan used skills he had gained while serving with the Royal Navy to act as landing officer for the chopper.

He secured the landing zone, cleared obstructions and guided the helicopter in. PC Allan said it was only on reflection that he realised how scary the incident had been.

‘You don’t have time to be scared at the time,’ he said. ‘You just go into autopilot.’

One of the most important awards of the night went to PC Stephen Gilman, who was given the Chief Inspector Richard Mauger award for outstanding achievement for his actions when dealing with a violent man armed with a knife.