Kirklees PC Nominated for BBC 999 Award

Thursday, 16 August, 2012

A Kirklees police officer narrowly missed out on a prestigious national bravery award for his actions in saving a man's life.

PC Billy Pringle was nominated for Outstanding Police Officer at the recent BBC 999 Awards. The nomination was for the Batley-born officer's quick thinking in saving the life of a 52-year old man who had shown the signs of having a heart attack after being burgled.

At 6.15pm on the 10th December 2011 PC Pringle was called to a house on Magnolias at Birstall, Batley. On arrival at the scene with two colleagues, PC Pringle saw the victim battling in the street with one of three men who had just burgled his home.

PC Pringle quickly arrested the suspect and passed descriptions of two others who had run from the scene to his colleagues (they were arrested shortly afterwards). As the officer returned to the victim, he noticed that the man had become unwell and was clutching at his chest.

Seeing the symptoms of a possible heart attack, rather than call from an ambulance and risk further delays, PC Pringle took the victim straight to Dewsbury District Hospital in his police car. The victim received emergency treatment and was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary. He has since made a full recovery.

A/CI Adrian Waugh of Kirklees police said: "PC Pringle's actions epitomise the type of work that is carried out by police officers across the country day in and day out. Here however, by not only arresting the suspect and setting his colleagues on the trail of two others, Billy then returned to the victim and, on seeing how ill the man had become, took him to hospital himself rather than wait for an ambulance - an act that undoubtedly saved the man's life.

"Billy fully deserves the recognition that he has received for these acts. He is a credit to the police force and an example to us all."

22-year old Jason Walshaw was charged in connection with the burglary and assault, as well as with resisting arrest. He received 28 months in prison.