Scots cops recognised after saving stolen baby from horror drugs den

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Police officers across Scotland are set to be recognised for their lifesaving acts of bravery and commitment to the job.

A team of officers who saved a stolen baby from a horror drugs den in West Lothian are amongst those up for an award.

PCs Aidan McAllister, Graeme Alasdair Sewell and Kyle Whitlaw responded to reports of an intoxicated male wandering late at night while holding a baby in Fauldhouse last September. It emerged he had snuck into the home of an ex-partner, removed the baby and taken it to a property popular among local drug users.

The team arrived knowing there would be trouble, as the owner had “an obsession with firearms and knives”, a dangerous dog was registered at the property, and shouting and banging could be heard from outside.

However, rescuing the baby was the priority. An aggressive male answered the door, accompanied by a large Alsatian, and attempted to stop the officers from entering. But the PCs forced their way past and found the crying baby, who was inside the “pitch black” house which was strewn with knives, bats and other weapons.

After they took the child to safety, the suspect became aggressive and two of the officers were injured in the struggle while other drug users watched on. He was subsequently charged with a range of crimes, and the baby was returned to its mother.

The constables have been nominated for the team bravery prize, which also features four PCs from Glasgow who formed a human chain in the River Clyde to save the life of an intoxicated woman who entered the water on New Year’s Day.

Members of the public reported the female near to Glasgow’s Springbank Court, as she clutched onto a hanging tree to keep her head above the surface. PCs Kevin Grant, Chloe Hynes, William McLevy and Claire Melia arrived on the scene before other emergency services, and realised there was no option except to swim to her.

The female was losing consciousness and turning blue, and no life rings could be found along either riverbank.
PC Grant removed his body armour and made his way over to ensure the mother wouldn’t be swept away by the current.

He was followed by PCs Hynes, McLevy and Melia who, along with two other officers, formed a chain to retain contact with the embankment. By now the woman was unconscious and proving difficult to move in the water, but they managed to get her to safety. PC Grant was rushed to hospital due to low temperature and exhaustion, with his three colleagues also admitted. The female involved in the incident made a full recovery.

PS Erik Work, who nominated the team, said: “There is no doubt that these heroic actions were a life-saving intervention.”

Three other officers have also been shortlisted for the individual bravery award, including PC Sally Ann Nicol, who almost died saving people from a landslide triggered by Storm Babet in October last year.

As she waded through mud to help motorists stranded on the A83 in Argyll and Bute, the conditions became so bad she thought she was going to drown as the “hills moved”.

After warning fellow officers not to follow her due to the risk to their lives, she implemented an evacuation plan for several members of the public. Witnesses reported hearing “a loud rumbling” as avalanches of mud descended towards the group, before they were rescued by helicopter.

“Each time she heard that noise she wondered if this would be the one that washed them all away,” said PS Brian Simpson, who nominated her for the award. Nominated in the same category is PC Kieran Ritson, who risked his life rescuing a suicidal woman as she was inches away from a cliff edge in Arbroath.

Officers on the scene said she was “quite literally inches” from falling off the 60-foot drop, but PC Ritson calmly engaged her in conversation and then removed her from danger.

After his life-saving exploits, the young officer said his actions were merely “what we do”.

Other nominees include PC Steven Donald, who is shortlisted in the community commitment category after he started a football initiative in Dundee that has helped to reduce youth disorder and improve relations between young people and the force.

The constable was pivotal in starting up Street Soccer FC in the city, a weekly event to encourage teenagers to play sport on a Friday evening instead of causing trouble. PC Donald abandoned his rest days and altered his shifts to ensure he could play an active role at all of the sessions, which take place in City Square.

Also recognised for his long service to policing in Edinburgh is DS Todd Rutherford, who has worked on some of the capital’s most serious and high profile cases over 30 years of service.

Shortlisted in the cops’ cop of the year category, DS Rutherford is described by colleagues as a “true gent and family man” who has been a mentor for other officers despite his own demanding job.

“The attention to detail, enthusiasm and perseverance shown to every crime he has investigated is above and beyond,” said DC Christina Yeoman, who nominated him.

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A total of 29 officers, including constables, sergeants, detectives and inspectors, have been shortlisted in six categories for the Scottish Police Federation’s annual awards.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell praised their “bravery, dedication, skill and professionalism”.

She said: "The bravery, dedication, skill and professionalism of our officers is hugely impressive and I thank the Scottish Police Federation for shining a light on some of their outstanding work.

“These awards are an important night in the policing calendar, when we recognise and celebrate our officers for their vital public service. I thank all officers and their families for everything they do for policing and our communities and offer warm congratulations to nominees and recipients.”

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