Essex Police Officers Win Bravery Award

17 October 2014, 08:42 | Updated: 17 October 2014, 08:43

Two Essex Police officers have been recognised for their bravery after they helped to put out a man who had covered himself in petrol and set himself on fire.

The man was engulfed in a massive fireball during the incident at a petrol station in Westcliff in December 2012.

Constables Keith Lucas and Shane Robinson told him to drop to the ground. Pc Robinson then used his fleece to try to beat the flames out before the fire service were called to the scene.

Despite setting himself on fire the man survived.

Pc Lucas and Pc Robinson were recognised at the Police Federation Bravery Awards last night.

Pc Lucas said: "At the time it didn't seem that extreme but when you look back at the potential dangers of what he was doing, if you ask our wives they'll probably say it's the most dangerous thing we've ever done."

Pc Robinson said it's a huge honour: "To actually win something like this is a recognition of what all police do everyday. I'm sure there are people who've done things that haven't been noticed or recognised".