Award for officers who prevented prisoner's escape from HMP Ford
A vehicle was seen leaving the area late at night, after being suspected of being involved in throwing items into the prison.
Officers who prevented a prison escape in freezing conditions near HMP Ford were recognised for their work.
A vehicle was seen leaving the area late at night, after being suspected of being involved in throwing items into the prison.
The vehicle was located initially by PC James Edwards, who had to tackle an aggressive man who was fighting him in the road in the dark and icy conditions.
PC Edwards, an officer with 18 years of experience, said: “Our suspect was physically strong, he was ‘prison strong’ and he was desperate to get away.
“It was late at night and the roads were icy, it was a 40mph road, and I was fearful that any passing vehicle would not see us in time.”
PC Jared Gobey and his Sergeant Samuel Fenner arrived soon afterwards to assist with tackling two further passengers in the vehicle who were intoxicated and had access to objects which may have been used as weapons.
PC Gobey, who has been an officer for seven years and now serves in the Roads Policing Unit, said: “I just wanted to get to the vehicle as quickly as possible to provide support to a colleague because he was on his own.
“We needed to establish why they had driven off so erratically and suspiciously. While we were speaking to them at the same time a report came in for a prisoner failing to return to prison, it was like a lightbulb moment.
“We had to keep the passengers calm, particularly because their associate was actively fighting PC Edwards on a dark, unlit road and I didn’t want this to influence their behaviour because we would have been outnumbered quickly.
“They were all intoxicated and in possession of alcohol. It was an incredibly difficult decision balancing wanting to assist PC Edwards with the obvious risk that the other two men would have ran or driven off had they not been secured. It was obvious that they were in some way involved.”
An oncoming vehicle was flagged down, and off-duty Chief Superintendent Marc Clothier helped the officers respond to the situation.
Chief Supt Marc Clothier, who has served as an officer for more than 28 years, said: “Initially I could just see a light in the road and thought maybe a cyclist had come off. But as I pulled up alongside, I could see people in the road.
“I jumped out to see what was going on and to make sure they didn’t get run over. I immediately recognised the officers and realised they were detaining a violent individual, so I gave them a hand until other officers arrived.”
PC Gobey added: “At first, it wasn’t clear to me that it was an off-duty colleague, let alone a Chief Superintendent as my attention was elsewhere. I think his behaviour is testament to who he is as a colleague; he treats himself as an equal and will be shoulder to shoulder in times of adversity and I respect him hugely.”
The officers received a Divisional Commendation for their efforts, with PC Edwards, PC Gobey, and Chief Superintendent Clothier in attendance to collect their award at Sussex Police’s West Sussex Divisional Awards ceremony at Arundel Castle.
The ceremony was told about how the incident unfolded near HMP Ford on 11 January. The officers made three arrests, and a 30-year-old man was later charged with two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, obstructing or resisting arrest, possession of a class A drug, criminal damage, and with being a temporary release prisoner who was unlawfully at large.
The offender, who has 18 previous convictions for 37 offences was returned to custody and served an additional 10 weeks in prison. The two passengers were later released and faced no further police action.
Presenting the award, District Commander Chief Inspector William Keating-Jones said: “Despite the icy conditions and the threat posed, they successfully managed a high-risk situation.
“Their actions protected the public and prevented the escape of a dangerous offender.”
PC Edwards said: “I was lovely to be recognised in the commendation. It was a team effort, with Sgt Fenner and PC Gobey spotting the vehicle in the first instance, and I made it my mission to locate it.
“The awards ceremony was a lovely day at Arundel Castle that I got to share with my family. I was very grateful to be able to share the day with them and to listen to all the other acts of skill and bravery of colleagues across the force.”
Chief Supt Clothier added: “I was very surprised to get a commendation as I was simply in the right place at the right time and stopped to help. However, it was good recognition for all those involved.”