TWO police officers who intervened to save a man's life in a terrifying kidnapping incident in Grays have won an Essex Police Federation Bravery Award.

Sgt Al Kelly and Temp Sgt Matthews were recognised at the Federation's second annual event, held this week, for their courage.

The incident happened in August last year when the duo responded to calls of a man being assaulted by a gang of men in the street in the Grays area before he was bundled into the back of a white Audi.

The member of the public calling the incident in had managed to make a note of the Audi's registration number, giving Sgt Kelly and Temp Sgt Matthews a vital lead to follow.

The pair went to the registered keeper's address in their vehicle but could not see the Audi. However, it looked as if another car was being used suspiciously, and as they approached, they could see the engine was running, and a man and the apparent victim were inside.

Rather than challenging the suspects straight away, the officers cleverly blocked off likely escape routes.

With four potentially armed suspects and a vehicle that could have easily become a weapon to deal with, the officers approached and opened the rear door to see the victim wedged between two suspects.

He had been badly beaten and had clearly been a victim of prolonged and potentially multiple assaults.

As the victim clambered out, one of the suspects tried to escape and was Tasered by Sgt Kelly to stop him absconding.

PCs Michael Sherlock and Nick Harlow then arrived to provide backup and assist in making the arrests. Chillingly one of the front passengers was found to be armed with two firearms cannisters believed to be full of CS Spray.

It later transpired via a retrieved text to the victim's phone that the gang had intended to kill him. Three suspects were arrested at the scene.

The incident saw a huge post-arrest police effort to capture evidence, made especially challenging given the men involved had only arrived in the UK a few days before the incident.

Investigating officers Det Sgt Natalie Roberts, PC Manoj Patel, PC Billy Barton and PC Harlie Summerhayes worked all through the night on 26-hour duty to secure the charges.

Despite several facial injuries and receiving a punctured lung, the victim made a full recovery. A fourth man, the driver of the vehicle, was also later arrested.

Temp Sgt Matthews said when they had tracked down the vehicle and opened the back door, the victim suddenly shouted out that he had been kidnapped and needed their help.

"We could see the engine was on, but it had a really heavily tinted windscreen, so we couldn't see what was going on in the car," he said.

"We shouted at them to turn the engine off, which didn't happen. So we opened the driver's side door, at which point we saw there was no one in the driver's seat, but there was someone in the passenger seat, and there were three people in the back of the car.

"As we opened the rear door to the car, the victim jumped out, screaming 'help me, they've kidnapped me!' or words to that effect.

"He was in a bad way and had been beaten up quite badly. One of the guys in the back of the car then tried to make a run for it, so he was Tasered."

Temp Sgt Matthews added: "It was an unusual incident for an early turn. We were in the right place, at the right time.

"I think if we hadn't seen that car when we did, he'd have been even more seriously injured if not killed."

In March this year, Billy Jackson, Anthony Siequien, Mason Stewart and Jake Constable were sentenced to almost 30 years in prison for kidnapping the man and trying to get money in exchange for his safe release.

All four men were given a restraining order against the victim, which will last for life.

Essex Police Federation Chair Laura Heggie said the officers involved should be very proud of their actions.

"This was a horrific incident that could have turned into a tragic one," she said.

"Al and Temp Sgt Matthews had no idea what they were facing when they approached the car. But in the finest traditions of the police service they went towards that danger to save a life and catch the bad guys.

"They did both… this sort of bravery really is awe-inspiring police work."

Laura added: "This was also great police work from all the colleagues involved in delivering justice for the victim and their family by ensuring these men will be prison for years to come."