Hampshire police officers have been commended for their bravery after risking their lives to save others in high seas. 

Sgt Damon Kennard, Special Constable David Collins, and PC David King battled force 6 winds and 4m waves to rescue a crew of sailors off the Hampshire coast. 

The stricken Alchemist had started to take in water after hitting a wreck at the Needles in the Round the Island yacht race in July. 

The officers responded to a Mayday call made, bringing the Police Launch Commander straight into action.

At a special awards ceremony for the heroic officers, officials said PC Kennard demonstrated “exceptional boat-hunting skills during the course of the rescue".

It added that SC Collins and PC King showed "exceptional bravery" by assisting the crew members across the police launch and ensuring they got first aid.

With help from the RNLI the final two members were taken to safety - although the vessel couldn't be saved.

Also honoured at the glittering ceremony were PC Jim Gallimore and PC Dan Goulding from Totton Roads Policing Unit and PC Mark Furse, PC Lucy Hawkins and PC Dave Mitchell from the serious collision investigation unit who showed “outstanding dedication, teamwork and investigation skills” to ensure the conviction of a drunk driver who fled the scene of a fatal crash.

The officers were called to a crash in February where a car had collided with a tree.

Front seat passenger Rebecca Marchant, 15, died at the scene, while driver Alexander McBride fled the wreck leaving Rebecca, his daughter and his niece, in the car.

The officers went to McBride’s home and found him in a neighbouring garden before fast tracking his blood sample and finding him over the drink drive limit with traces of cannabis in his blood within just two days - leading McBride to plead guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. 

He was jailed for four years and four months, and disqualified from driving for five years and two months while the quality and depth of their investigation was highly praised by the senior investigating officer.

A police spokesperson said: “To get this conviction in just 37 days is testament to the combined efforts and professionalism of the officers on what was a truly challenging and distressing case.”

The individuals, as well as three police dogs, were honoured at a ceremony at Sulhamstead police training centre in Berkshire, hosted by Joint Operations Unit Chief Superintendent Stephen Williams.

He said: “Hearing the inspiring stories of our officers makes me feel very proud to lead this unit.

“Every day our officers are out there, serving our communities, never knowing what they will face and these examples we have heard at this ceremony just goes to show the dangers they can be confronted with and how lucky we are to have people who are willing to stand up for what is right.

“I am immensely proud of the dedication of our officers and staff who go above and beyond to keep our counties safe.”

We are pleased to be able to share details of three of the awards presented at the ceremony.

PC Emma Clifford from the Forensic Collision Investigation Unit and PC Dave Mitchell were also commended for ensuring a repeat offender was jailed after killing a cyclist while texting.