The bravery and dedication of police officers involved in the riots of August 2011 has been recognised at a ceremony at Ealing Town Hall.

The majority of the commendations were in relation to the disorder in Ealing but officers from the Borough were also posted to Hackney, Peckham, Camden and Tottenham in the days prior to the 8th August.

Officers sent to Peckham came under attack from bricks, bottles, chairs, traffic cones and a petrol bomb from a group of about 100 strong.

In Hackney, PS Paul Davenport and PC Dan Rous were hit by flying bricks and rocks and both had to be hospitalized.

Meanwhile in Ealing, officers had to deal with mobs running wild on Springbridge Road - where resident Richard Mannington Bowes was attacked and later died from his injuries.

The police only had four short shields between them and their position was described as very vulnerable to attack. A crowd of hooded and masked rioters approached and subjected the officers to a barrage of missiles.

Fifteen officers - men and women - were commended for '' Extreme bravery, leadership and resilience whilst under attack during the riots in Ealing in August 2011.''

Officers employed on Operation Withern, the Metropolitan Police Service’s investigation to bring riot offenders to justice, were among the recipients for their work in viewing hundreds of hours of CCTV and apprehending suspects. This work continues today.

Borough Commander Andy Rowell said:''The death of the two police officers in Manchester was a poignant reminder of what our officers face on a day to day basis. In total nearly 180 Borough officers were deployed to the riots in Ealing and parts of London. Many local officers who were on the streets on the 8th August were there in their beat uniform and their only protection was their asps [batons]. Undeterred, they persevered throughout the night and the next morning, to bring peace back to the streets of the Borough.''

The dignitaries who attended the occasion were, Julian Bell Leader of Ealing Council, Stephen Pound MP, the Mayor of Ealing Mohammad Aslam and Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Ealing, Robert Leader.

 

 

26th September 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11th September 2012