A HEREFORD police officer was honoured with a prestigious bravery award for protecting a child, staff and a vulnerable man in Waitrose.

Police Constable Chris Barrett, 51, was awarded the Chief Constables Commendation for an incident that occurred in April this year.

The police officer, who has served with the Ministry of Defence Police for 30 years and is a foster carer with his wife, was shopping in the Hereford branch of Waitrose with a child while off duty.

During their visit a man in the store suffered a mental health episode.

The man threatened to kill himself and threatened the store manager. He also attempted to harm himself with scissors.

Chris immediately put the child out of harm's way with a member of staff and then helped the manager to restrain the man.

He then safely took the scissors out of the man's hand, calmed him down and administered first aid until the police arrived.

Chris was presented with his award by his Chief Constable Andy Adams QPM, during a recruits course passing out parade at the Ministry of Defence Police HQ at Wethersfield in Essex on August 24, where Chris was joined by his proud wife Sharon.

Chris can add his award to his Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals, Police Long Service and Good Conduct medals.

The child who was with Chris during the incident was nominated for bravery award by social services for staying calm while Chris diffused the potentially dangerous situation.

Chris and Sharon then presented the child with his award

The child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said after the incident: "It was really cool seeing Chris jumping on the man as a police officer.”

Chris expressed his pride for the child and said, "If he hadn't been calm I could not have done what I needed to do."

Chris and Sharon have fostered ten children over their career and they keep in touch will all them, which makes Christmas a very busy time, according to Chris.

He said: "I am proud to be a police officer and I am proud to be a foster carer."