A DRAMATIC rooftop rescue, stopping a knife-wielding robber and putting a fraudster and an attempted murderer behind bars.

Hampshire Police Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney commended the professionalism and dedication of officers and staff at a special ceremony in Netley.

She gave ‘special congratulations’ to the team who brought fraudster and attempted murderer Cathy Bartlett to justice.

As previously reported in 2015 Bartlett, from Fawley, was jailed for 25 years in December 2015 for the attempted murder of her sister Rachael by setting fire to a flight of stairs which led to her bedroom, in April 2015.

Cathy – dubbed a “calculated and devious liar” by the courts – poured a can of petrol on the stairs, removing a smoke alarm and its battery in an attempt to cover up the £96,000 of fraudulent transactions she had made.

Chief Constable’s Congratulations were handed to the Operation Zanzibar team – DI David Jackson, DS Wayne Jackson, DS Andy Spooner, DC Victoria Wilkes, DC Amy Speed and police staff investigator Henry Chung for the “highest level of professionalism and dedication demonstrated by this team of officers during an extremely complex case.”

Daily Echo: •Operation Zanzibar team

A police spokesperson said: “This was a significant investigation which generated large amounts of material from more than 100 witnesses, bank accounts, mobile phone and computer data and countless forensic examinations.

“The strong leadership of DI David Jackson as senior investigating officer and DC Wayne Jackson, as deputy senior investigating officer, has been credited for helping to secure the conviction within eight months.”

Also commended were Deborah Allmey-Ayes, Terry Bickness and Nathan Jones – three members of the public who demonstrated “outstanding bravery when confronted with an armed robber.”

Deborah Allmey-Ayes was in a Lidl car park putting her shopping into her car when she was approached from behind by a man with a knife.

He tried to snatch her handbag off her shoulder and when that didn’t work he used a knife to cut the strap.

She screamed for help and then chased the robber – while passers by Terry Bickness and Nathan Jones sprang into action.

Terry launched himself at the knife-wielding robber, grabbing him and taking him to the ground.

Nathan immediately pinned the robber’s legs to the floor, and grabbed the knife.

They called 999 and held the man until officers arrived.

Ashley Austin was charged with robbery and possession of a bladed article. He pleaded guilty and was jailed for four years and six months.

All three were awarded Chief Constable Commendations.

Also commended were PC Colin Kirby, response and patrol Cosham, PC Guy Hall, from the dog support unit and Special Constable Joseph Honey, from Southsea – who saved a woman’s life in a dramatic rooftop rescue after she had jumped out of the skylight of a flat on the top floor of a three storey building.

These officers received Chief Constable Commendations for their bravery and selfless actions.

Chief Constable Pinkney said: “It has been wonderful to hear these stories of such bravery and dedication and we, in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, are very lucky to have these officers, staff – and even members of the public – protecting our communities.

“It has given me great pleasure to present these much-deserved awards.”

John Apter, chairman of Hampshire Police Federation, added: “We have seen officers commended for incredible acts of bravery which without doubt saved a woman’s life, we have also seen members of the public intervene in an armed robbery.”

Long Service and Good Conduct Medals 1996

Sgt Colin Bulpett – Mental health response and diversion

DC Dermot McBride – CID Fratton

DC Theresa Montgomery – Economic Crime Unit, Netley

D/Supt Justin Norris – Scientific services, Southampton

D/Insp Neil Cripps – South East Regional Organised Crime Unit

DCI Amanda Horsburgh

PC Paul Boulton – Marine Unit

PC Karen Stevenson – Roads policing unit

Special Constabulary Long Service Medal

SC Laurence O’Toole – Basingstoke

SC Michael Elkins – Lymington

SC Joshua Horder – Ringwood

SC Paul Rayner – Ringwood

Police Staff Long Service Certificates

Roger Cooke – Station enquiry officer Southampton

Terry Lewis – driver training

Paula Hunt – Criminal Justice Unit