Plymouth police chief praises schoolgirls

Two young girls who called an ambulance for their unconscious mum, a paper girl who raised the alarm about a collapsed pensioner, and a PCSO who voluntarily started a recovered stolen goods website since copied by other forces have been honoured by Plymouth’s Police Chief.

Chief Supt Andy Boulting presented Commander’s Certificates to them all at a ceremony at Crownhill police station.

Eight year old Daisy Wellington and her six year old sister Esmae found their mum Sarah collapsed and unconscious on the landing of their home after a fall getting into the loft.  They called 999 and, although upset and scared, were able to give all the details that enabled an ambulance to attend. They were commended for the maturity and responsibility in dealing with a very scary time. 

Paper girl Aileen Jones also helped someone in distress. The 15 year old was on her round on a Sunday in May when she noticed a build-up of post and papers behind the door of a house where she could hear the sound of moaning. She told her employer who called the police who broke in and located the elderly male occupant collapsed on his living room floor. He’s thought to have been there for several days. He got medical treatment and his family were informed.  Aileen was given a certificate of thanks for public service.  The citation said “She has shown exceptional personal responsibility and accountability and is a credit to both her family and her community as a whole”.

Taxi driver Tudor Cofaru was commended for his bravery and selfless actions after coming to the aid of an off-duty police officer struggling to detain a violent shoplifter. He had stolen from a local Co-op and was trying to flee the scene in a taxi when the officer caught up with him.  Mr Cofaru helped to detain the suspect at great risk to his personal safety given the violent behaviour. 

A police officer who spear-headed a project to get body-worn video cameras in use across the city to increase court action against domestic violence offenders has been commended for his selflessness and dedication.  PC Gareth Bray led the bid to implement the technology in 2014 and delivered training to all response officers. He also managed to get extra external funding to increase training and buy extra equipment. Most of the work was completed in his own time, including travel to associated national events. The citation said that without Gareth’s determination, drive and dedication the project would not have been successful.

PCSO Trystan Fentem received a Commander’s Commendation for creating and developing “Operation Inheritance” which informs second-hand dealers in the city about stolen property. He also worked diligently to reunite items which had lain unidentified for some time in Devon and Cornwall police property stores which he suspected came from burglaries across the south-west. A sculpture called “Petite Glory” and a picture called “The Death of Adonis” were reunited with their owners who were very grateful. It also led to Wiltshire police being able to detect an offender involved in a number of local antique burglaries. PCSO Fentem was commended for selflessness and dedication. His work has attracted interest from other police forces and he now offers a consultation and advice point to allow similar operations to be set up in other areas.