THREE police officers have been commended by West Mercia chief constable Paul West.

PCs Nicholas Stinton and Paul Smith had to disarm a man who was cutting himself with a knife.

Sgt Matthew Hooley rescued a distressed woman from a fume-filled car on the Malvern Hills.

PCs Nick Stinton and Paul Smith were called to Malvern address late on Christmas Day last year, where a young man was cutting his clothing with a knife.

He refused to put it down and, as the officers tried to talk to him, began to cut himself. They overpowered him and took the knife away.

The citations says: "This was a potentially dangerous and difficult situation to deal with, but the officers showed courage and excellent decision-making skills in order to resolve it quickly and safely.

"PCs Stinton and Smith are commended in recognition of their bravery and decision-making skills in disarming a man, who was causing injury to himself with a knife."

Sgt Hooley was involved in a search for a "distressed, possibly suicidal" woman, who went missing on January 26

He searched the area around Gullet Quarry and found the woman motionless in a car.

Sgt Hooley kicked away the hose leading from the exhaust pipe into the vehicle and dragged her out. He called an ambulance, carried the woman to his police car and drove to meet the ambulance.

The citation says: "Sgt Hooley is commended in recognition of his presence of mind, quick thinking and initiative in rescuing a woman from a fume-filled vehicle."

Chief Superintendent Simon Adams, South Worcestershire divisional commander, said: "The awards are really all about the honour of being recognised for extremely high standards, professionally and personally."