Two Wiltshire police officers recognised for leading response to Salisbury Novichok incidents

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills and Superintendent Dave Minty have received Queen's Police Medals

Author: Helen DownPublished 12th Nov 2021
Last updated 12th Nov 2021

Queen's Police Medals have been awarded to two Wiltshire officers who led the response to the Novichok poisonings in Salisbury and Amesbury.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills and Superintendent Dave Minty received them at Windsor Castle.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills was presented with his QPM by the Duke of Cambridge

DCC Mills who led and chaired a group which oversaw 26 local and national agencies working together at the time of the poisonings, said:

"It was a huge honour to attend Windsor Castle and be recognised in this way.

"Nobody joins policing with the expectation of receiving honours or awards, you do the job to serve your communities and protect the public - but is, nevertheless, very humbling when our efforts are formally recognised and acknowledged.

"It is important to note that this QPM also reflects and represents the hard work and dedication of every single police officer, member of staff, volunteer, and of course all our partner agencies, who came together during such an unprecedented time."

Supt Minty collected his award from the Princess Royal

Superintendent Dave Minty who led and chaired the Tactical Coordination Group which delivered the plan in response to the incidents in 2018, said:

"I would like to also reiterate the message from DCC Mills, that the work carried out by the police and other agencies in Salisbury and Amesbury was a significant team effort.

"I was then, and I continue to be, incredibly proud of every single person involved in the response to these incidents.

"While this QPM is a personal and professional honour for me, I also believe it to be a testament to everyone at Wiltshire Police."

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.