A KIDDERMINSTER policeman who went to the assistance of a man being attacked by a 30-strong armed mob with his female partner has had his bravery officially recognised.

PC Nick Oldnall, 38, of Spennells, an officer with West Midlands Police, received the force's Chief Constable's commendation for bravery, as did his colleague, PC Emma Shakespeare.

They were on mobile patrol in Sparkhill, Birmingham in August last year when they received a report about disorder involving several armed men.

When they arrived on the scene, they saw 30 men, armed with knives, bars and various other weapons and alerted their operations centre to send reinforcements.

Before the help arrived, however, PCs Oldnall and Shakespeare got out of their vehicle and ran towards the group to help the victim. The gang left the scene, leaving the man behind.

When other officers arrived, several discarded weapons were found.

A member of the public also reported a vehicle had been shot at and a bullet hole was found in the bodywork.

It was believed that if PCS Oldnall and Shakespeare had not intervened, the victim would have suffered life-threatening injuries.

They received their bravery awards during a presentation event, where West Midlands Chief Constable Paul Scott-Lee said: "These officers are to be commended for their selfless acts of courage.

"They acted instinctively to protect the lives of innocent people, knowingly risking their own lives by facing down armed offenders."

PC Oldnall described the attack as "typical" of the kind of incidents police in Birmingham had to deal with, saying: "We saw this gentleman being attacked by 30 people." The former Franche Middle and Wolverley High schools pupil added: "We saved his life."

He was a response officer at the time of the incident and is now a member of a crime fighting team still covering the same area. Father-of-two, PC Oldnall, has been in the police for five years.