Bravery award for county officer

An officer who took on a gunman threatening Christmas shoppers has been named Britain's bravest bobby.

Pc Ian Fielding, 41, tackled the gunman who had already led him on a car chase through the streets of Worcester.

As the West Mercia traffic officer pursued the car through a red light, the driver pointed a gun at him through the rear windscreen.

Mr Fielding, a married father-of-two, was voted the bravest officer in England and Wales at the annual Police Federation Bravery Awards.

While Mr Fielding was chasing the car the driver pulled into a pedestrian area and the driver jumped out.

He waved the gun at shoppers and marched towards Mr Fielding, telling him to stay back.

Instead the officer wrestled him to the ground and held him down with the help of two shoppers.

The gunman has since been jailed.

Award ceremony

He was presented with his award by Home Secretary David Blunkett and actress Helen Mirren in a star-studded ceremony at London's Dorchester Hotel.

Mr Fielding said; "I'm shocked, there are people out there that deserve this far more than me.

"I'm not feeling that brave. It's the job, it had to be done so I did it.

"Every police officer does the same thing day in and day out, we have to react to the unknown and that's what makes the job really great.

"The first time the gun was pointed at me through the back window I was totally shocked."