A WINSFORD resident has been honoured at this year’s Police Bravery Awards.

Gareth Kendrick, 31, a shop assistant, was given his silver award after he intervened when a suspected shoplifter became aggressive with staff at Asda in The Drumber, Winsford, on Monday, August 21.

The shoplifter threatened to kill a security officer and then began smashing bottles of spirits before brandishing a broken bottle neck towards staff.

Gareth stood in between the man and staff and tried to calm him down. He persuaded him to go to the customer service desk for treatment on his hand which he had cut when smashing bottles.

However, he began threatening Gareth again and Mr Kendrick then restrained the offender and removed the bottle from him and kept hold of him until officers arrived to arrest him.

Gareth showed bravery, calmness and compassion when dealing with this vulnerable but dangerous individual. He put himself in the face of danger to protect others even when faced with the real possibility of serious injury.

After the awards event Gareth said: “After hearing some of the other people and what they won awards for I’m still surprised I got one. It is all a bit surreal.

“I had no idea about this until I won and I thought it was a scam to begin with. It still hasn’t really sunk in.

“I just wanted to make sure that everyone was ok, including the man who had been shoplifting because he was cut quite badly.

“I was the only manager there so I felt I had to do something. I was just trying to keep everyone safe and him calm.”

Gareth received his award at an event in London on Tuesday, October 30.