DRAMATIC moments on the QEII bridge last year were recalled at a ceremony when police officers and members of the public were honoured for their actions.

The families of nine officers attended the Essex Police Chief Constable's Commendations ceremony hosted by Chief Constable BJ Harrington and supported by ACC Tim Smith and Pippa Brent-Isherwood, Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.

Certificates will also be sent to two members of the public who acted heroically but were unable to attend the event.

Chief Constable Harrington said: "The actions of the officers and members of the public were extraordinary.

"They may say they were just doing their job, however, this is extraordinary stuff and our officers are doing this every single day.

"They went above and beyond to help people, keep them safe and to catch baddies and for that I thank them all."

Among the incidents recognised was one on October 2019 when two motorists, Mick Sollis and Paul Meaney, spotted a man getting out of his car on the Dartford Crossing.

The man got out and sat on the wrong side of the bridge's barrier. There was immediately concerns that he would take his own life.

Off-duty Metropolitan Police Service officer, Sarah Wallin, was on her way to work when she also saw the incident unfolding and all three managed to restrain the man ahead of police attendance.

Sarah said: "I was driving to work when I spotted two men bravely attempting to help a man who had threatened to take his life.

"He was sitting on the side of the bridge and there were concerns around his intent.

"We manage to take him to hospital and I hope he got the help that he needed."