Honours for airport attack police

The officers were awarded for their actions at the airport

Police who helped thwart a bid to kill holidaymakers in a car bomb attack on Glasgow Airport have been honoured.

Dozens of Strathclyde officers were recognised for their actions on the day of the attack and their involvement in the subsequent investigation.

The airport was attacked on 30 June 2007, the busiest day of the year, when a blazing Jeep filled with gas canisters was driven into the terminal.

The force's chief constable presented the honours at a ceremony in Glasgow.

A total of 39 officers were honoured and six departments received group awards.

Pc Stuart Ferguson and former Sgt Torquil Campbell received awards

Officers rushed to the scene after Bilal Abdulla and Kafeel Ahmed tried to ram the vehicle into the building.

Aided by members of the public, police arrested Abdulla and hosed down Ahmed, who had set himself on fire.

Retired police sergeant Torquil Campbell was one of the first on the scene, and helped arrest the bombers.

He said: "I had only six months left to do of my police service and it's a great honour to receive this award and carry it with me for the rest of my life.

"That day was something I'll always remember - that was the highlight of my police service and one of the days I'll never forget so I'm very honoured to be here today to receive this award."

Engineering student Ahmed, who had been at the wheel of the Jeep, died from his burns in hospital a month later.

Abdullah and Ahmed tried to ram a burning Jeep into the airport terminal

NHS doctor Abdulla, 29, originally from Iraq, was jailed for at least 32 years over the Glasgow attack and other plots in London. He had been a passenger in the vehicle.

Abdulla was found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court in December of conspiracy to murder and to cause explosions.

Strathclyde Police's Chief Constable Stephen House, who was not head of the force at the time of the attack, said it was the "right time" to recognise the officers now the court case had ended.

"Throughout the past year as chief constable of Strathclyde, I have been impressed by the commitment and dedication shown by both police and support staff throughout this force who carry out their duties in a professional and diligent manner," he said.

"I am confident that we have learned a lot from the events of June 30, 2007, and are now stronger as a force and better placed to deal with anything of a similarly challenging nature."