TACKLING a knife-wielding teenager who was threatening to kill a child in a Cambourne flat has earned a policeman a bravery award. PC Martin Lloyd was one of several Cambridgeshire officers to receive commendations for work over and above the call of dut

TACKLING a knife-wielding teenager who was threatening to kill a child in a Cambourne flat has earned a policeman a bravery award.

PC Martin Lloyd was one of several Cambridgeshire officers to receive commendations for work over and above the call of duty.

He gained his award for "using effective tactical communications to disarm a man making threats to kill with a knife".

PC Lloyd faced an 18-year-old who was threatening to kill himself and his family in a Cambourne flat on June 7.

Forty-six-year-old PC Lloyd, who is based at the police dog unit at RAF Alconbury,

said: "He had made threats that he was going to kill himself and his family. I knew I could deal with him as I had come across him before and knew he had mental health problems. I was concerned because there was a two-year-old child in the flat."

Describing what happened, he said: "As I walked in to the flat there was blood everywhere and the teenager had cuts to his wrists and arms.

"As I approached him he backed into the living room and I moved in behind him. He then locked the door behind me saying 'I don't want any other police coming in'.

"There were screams coming from the property and the teenager was threatening all sorts. I knew I needed to get the family out before anyone else got hurt. Then all of a sudden he lunged at me with the knife. It was a kitchen knife, bigger than a vegetable one but smaller than a carving knife. I sprayed him with peppery spray and managed to jump on him and take the knife out of his hand.

"I did not have the opportunity to be scared my training just kicked in. Being a dog handler I am used to dealing with violent situations."

The teenage knifeman was taken to Parkside Police Station and received a caution due to his mental health problems.

Divisional commander Chief Superintendent Rob Needle handed out 12 commendations at Parkside Police Station on Monday, September 29.

When asked how he felt about receiving the award, PC Lloyd, who has been in the police force for 22 years, said: "I wasn't expecting an award and I feel quite embarrassed because I was just doing my job. It is what police officers do everyday. I do not get paid enough to be stabbed but that risk is just part of my job."

Officers receiving commendations included Civilian Detention Officer Edward Smith for his prompt administering of first aid after a man tried to kill himself and Sergeant Andrew Lunn for his leadership at the scene of a stabbing in Cambridge on June 11.