Essex Police officers at the National Police Bravery Awards

TWO Essex Police officers who confronted a man wielding two kitchen knives at an Islamic centre hours after the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby will be honoured at the Police Bravery Awards tonight.

PC Gus Morrison (left) and PC Dafydd Hughes are among 64 police officers from England and Wales who will be honoured for risking death and serious harm to protect the public.

The unarmed officers managed to subdue the knife-wielding suspect and entered a smoke-filled building to help a member of the public to safety.

PC Hughes said it was a “surprise” to receive the invitation to tonight’s awards. “We didn’t know we had been nominated so when we were notified it came as a bit of a shock. We didn’t expect it,” he said.

PC Morrison insisted that other officers would have responded in the same way to the situation. “So many people do brave things every day and don’t get recognised so I guess that’s why it feels a bit embarrassing,” he said.

Speaking before a Downing Street reception for nominees earlier today, PC Morrison said: “You don’t really think about it at the time. You get on and do it. I suppose that it is afterwards that it hits you. It’s just one of those things – you just crack on and do the job. You need five minutes and a stiff drink but that’s it really.”

Mark Smith, Chairman of Essex Police Federation, said he was “very proud” of the two officers.

“It is my favourite time of the year, bringing officers to the Bravery Awards,” he said. “It is a shame that we can’t recognise everybody. Our officers are out there doing brave things every day. These two officers here did a very, very brave thing. I’m glad to bring them up here and support them.”

Mr Smith added: “It’s important to get the good news stories out there too and let the public know what we do every day.”