A man from St Albans has been recognised for his bravery at the national Police Public Bravery Awards.

Tim Lewis was travelling along Watery Lane, on the outskirts of Harpenden, on Sunday, February 13 last year when he spotted a man standing on the wrong side of the barrier on a bridge over the M1.

Tim parked his vehicle, and began speaking to the man who was visibly upset. After providing support for around ten minutes, an off-duty sergeant saw what was happening and stopped to help too.

Together, Tim and the sergeant were able to convince the man to move away from the barrier. The man involved subsequently received mental health support after on-duty police officers arrived.

Tim was one of three people nominated by Hertfordshire police to be recognised for outstanding acts of bravery. The other Herts residents to be nominated were Nacanieli Bale and Corey Skinnet West, who detained a burglar until police arrived.

They received their silver medals from Lauren Poultney, Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, at a ceremony in Sheffield's Cutlers' Hall on Thursday, November 30.

Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson attended the ceremony on behalf of Hertfordshire’s Chief Constable Charlie Hall, and said: “In policing it is business as usual for us to respond to calls for help and we are specially trained to take on dangerous situations to keep the wider public safe.

“While this takes a special kind of person with courage and a dedication to public service, when a member of the public with no training or specialist equipment steps up to help someone they have never met before, it is quite right that this should be properly celebrated and recognised.

“I was delighted to be able to attend the awards event to celebrate the actions of Nacanieli, Corey and Tim.

"All three went out of their way to help someone unknown to them, coming to their aid in their hour of need. Without their intervention the outcome in both incidents may have been very different and possibly tragic.

"I have no doubt that the people they helped feel incredibly grateful. We are really proud of all three winners.”