A YOUNG police community support officer (PCSO) who helped saved a man's life after only three weeks in the job has been recognised for his bravery.

Rory Arnott, 19, has received an award from the Royal Humane Society for stopping the 32-year-old man from jumping from the roof of a car park. Rory, who lives and works in Welwyn Garden City, was only 18 when the incident happened last June.

The former Verulam School pupil, who worked at The Bell pub in before deciding on a career in the police force, was presented with a certificate at a ceremony earlier this month.

He had been on duty with fellow PCSO Mark Crane when the pair received a call telling them a man was about to jump from the top level of the Howard Centre car park in Welwyn Garden City.

They raced to the scene but as they got close to the man he climbed over the edge of the car park parapet, nearly 100ft up.

As he let go the pair grabbed his arms and pulled him to safety, helped by security guard Adrian Rutland.

All three were recognised by the Royal Humane Society.

Rory said: "As we got there the man let go and Mark grabbed one of his arms and I grabbed the other.

"I'd only been in the role for three weeks when it happened. I thought, What have I let myself in for here?' "The man was really struggling but we restrained him until more police officers arrived.

"It was quite a scary experience, but good in a way.

"I absolutely love my job and I'm applying to become a proper police officer.

"I have to go through the same application as any member of the public, but hopefully this will look good on my CV."

Speaking at the ceremony, Hertfordshire's Chief Constable Frank Whiteley said the society's awards recognised people who had put their own lives in danger to rescue others from heights.

He said: "The constant struggling of the man, together with the height of the parapet wall was such that the three men clearly ran the risk of being pulled from the roof themselves.

"Ultimately they risked their lives to save the man."

2:48pm Monday 27th February 2006

Print   Send

More Stories By This Author

Firefighters' strike action over

MPs act over new superhospital cash cuts

MPs act over new hospital cash cuts

Also by this author ...