POLICE AWARDS: WILTSHIRE police officers Adam Hall and Lee Mead have received awards for their heroic actions in dealing with a violent man in June last year.

The two constables, both 35, attended a house in Kingsley Gardens, Devizes, on the evening of June 24, where a man had doused himself in petrol at the home of his ex-wife.

She and her three children were trapped upstairs. PC Hall was first on the scene. He said that the man, Peter Willis, was in a rage.

Willis had doused himself and the house with petrol and was screaming abuse, threatening to burn himself and his family to death.

He ordered PC Hall to take off his radio and body armour. But the policeman had the presence of mind to keep his CS incapacitant spray and slipped it into his trouser pocket.

PC Lee Mead, who is based at Pewsey, arrived on the scene after hearing a call for assistance on his radio while he drove back to Devizes to refuel his police vehicle.

He pulled up to witness PC Hall standing on the pavement while Willis was in the garden holding his lighter.

As Willis went inside the house, PC Hall ran up alongside the building, but was caught unawares by Willis, who suddenly reappeared and lunged at the officer.

The attack left PC Hall with injuries to his face, chest and groin. He used the CS spray but it rebounded on him and he was temporarily blinded.

Willis continued to lash out violently but PC Hall held on to him and PC Mead, who had been fetching equipment from his car, ran to assist in handcuffing Willis. When they put Willis in a police van they found a kitchen knife concealed on him.

During a ceremony at police headquarters in Devizes last Wednesday, the two constables were awarded certificates of merit from Wiltshire's Chief Constable, Elizabeth Neville.

They were also presented with a judge's commendation, awarded by the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, David Stratton, in recognition of their bravery.

PC Mead, who lives in Potterne, said that both constables were aware of how dangerous the situation had been.

"It is one of the worst incidents I have been to. We were aware of the children and the mother trapped in the house.

"There was a very strong smell of petrol and if the lighter had set fire to the petrol it would have been a catastrophe."

PC Hall, who lives in Devizes, said the incident was the most shocking he had encountered during his 13-year police career.

The constable, who is married with two children, said: "I had no doubt in my mind that he (Willis) would have done what he said he would do and set himself and the house on fire.

"It was a split second decision to go up by the side of the house while Willis was inside. Fortunately, there was a positive outcome. Nobody was injured, apart from us.

"If he had used the lighter he would have gone up in flames, I would have gone up and the house would have gone up."

PC Hall's son, seven-year-old Oscar was also at the awards ceremony in Devizes.

He said: "If Daddy hadn't got that man into the van he would have been blown up."

PC Hall's wife, Anna, said: "I wasn't surprised by what Adam did, it's very Adam. He saw a situation and dealt with it. With hindsight you are concerned about what could have happened but if you are married to a policeman you have to accept that is what they do.

"He is brave and he loves his job. When he is at work he really puts his heart and soul into it."

Willis, 37, pleaded guilty to several offences, including affray, assaulting a police officer and criminal damage. He was sentenced to 16 months' in jail.