THEY were scenes that marred what should have been a celebration of world-class football.

Right at the heart of the trouble that flared between rival supporters at the Euro 2016 football tournament was a team of international police officers trying to keep the peace.

Among them was PC Stuart Dickerson, from Hampshire Constabulary, who was deployed to help spot and capture evidence of any violence committed by fans.

Instead he found himself helping to save the life of a football fan who had been beaten to within an inch of his life.

His actions that day have now earned him a Royal Humane Society Award in recognition of his bravery.

PC Dickerson, a dedicated football officer, was part of the English policing team deployed to France during the Euros.

They were sent to Marseille in June to help French police as England took on Russia in the first round of the tournament.

What followed was three days of serious disorder culminating in the highly organised and savage attack on England supporters by Russian hooligans on June 11.

Speaking of the attack, PC Dickerson told the Daily Echo: “The only way I can describe was like seeing a plague of locust sweep across a cornfield.

"They just swept across, throwing chairs, attacking fans - some had weapons.

"It was the worst football violence I have ever seen in my career.”

In the violence that followed, the Hampshire officer was attacked himself, causing him to drop the camera he was using the film the shocking scenes unfolding in front of him.

“There were chairs coming over our heads, people being randomly attacked, so we made the decision to leave and try and regroup elsewhere.”

As he did so, he and colleague PC Roger Brown, from Derbyshire Constabulary, came across a riot police officer trying to give CPR to an England fan lying on the ground.

Despite the threat to their own safety the men began helping the officer with first aid whilst also setting up a cordon around the scene to protect the casualty and the paramedics who then arrived from further attack.

“We needed to know what had happened to the man so it was also crucial for us to try and establish what had happened, so I began taking eye witness accounts to assist the paramedics in their treatment of him.”

The fan turned out to be Andrew Bache, the Portsmouth fan who spent weeks in critical care before being transferred back to the UK where he remains in hospital with life-changing injuries.

At Hampshire Constabulary’s Bravery Awards this week, guests heard how there was no doubt the PC Dickerson's actions played a key role in saving the life of Mr Bache.

Giving PC Dickerson his award, Chief Superintendent Steve Neil, of Northumbria Police, said: “I would underline the outstanding bravery and professionalism of PC Dickerson in what was the worst football violence I have ever witnessed in my 29 years’ service.

"Both in Marseille and through the entire deployment to France he was an absolute credit to Hampshire Constabulary.”

PC Dickerson, 42, who has served for 19 years, said he was “extremely proud” to have been presented with the RHS Commendation on Parchment Certificate.

The officer was one of a number of officers, staff and members of the public who were honoured for their bravery, dedication and professionalism at the awards service.

Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney had the honour of presenting the awards at the ceremony, along with the Lord-Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson.

Chief Constable Pinkney said: “Many of us take time to reflect at this time of year and take stock of what has happened over the last 12 months.

“This ceremony has been a great way of looking back on the year and recognising those who have really gone above and beyond to make our communities safer.

“Once again these awards have highlighted how lucky we are to live and work in a place with so many people who are dedicated to making life better in our communities and willing to confront dangerous situations."

Chief Constable Commendations were handed out to PC Michelle Harris, a response and patrol officer from Basingstoke who, despite being attacked with a glass bottle, refused to let her violent and dangerous attacker get away.

Eventually she helped to detain the offender who was also armed with a claw hammer and was back at work the following day.

Steve Burns was also praised for his actions in stopping a would-be burglar breaking into a house in Gosport.

Mr Burns was stabbed several times with a screw driver, causing life-threatening injuries, including a perforated lung, after a scuffle broke out when he approached the man.

The ceremony heard how Mr Burns’ bravery prevented a burglary and protected other residents from a possible serious assault but it has left him with some lasting injuries which have hampered his ability to work.

Dominic Burrows and Ryan Burrows were also honoured after their first aid skills saved the life of their dad, Mark.

The pair had been out running in Church Crookham with their 55-year-old dad in December 2014 when Mark collapsed, suffering from a heart attack, but the pair remained calm enough to administer CPR and call and ambulance.

Volunteers were also the toast of the awards ceremony, with Vicky Maynard, a volunteer training assistant, praised for her commitment to EFA Specials training at the weekend and Ellie Hyland also received an award for her work as a volunteer stolen property assistant.

Thanks to her, burglary victims have been put at the heart of policing due to the support she has given victims of crime.