Officer hailed for bus bravery
 | | PCSO Uthayakumar Packirisamy was honoured for tackling a woman who threatened to blow up bus passengers |
A HERO police community support officer who tackled a woman threatening to blow up terrified passengers on a bus has been commended for his bravery.
PCSO Uthayakumar Packirisamy was one of 27 courageous officers and community activists presented with a Borough Commander's Commendation at Camden Town Hall.
PCSO Packirisamy was coming off duty and boarding a bus outside Albany Street police station when a woman on the bus armed with a container of mentholated spirits and a lighter told passengers they were going to die.
The quick-thinking officer evacuated the bus and pulled the woman, who was suffering from mental health problems, away from the frightened passengers.
He called for help from his phone and held the woman until officers arrived.
The event happened a month after the July 7 bombings, when PCSO Packirisamy helped direct traffic away from King's Cross. He said: "Everyone started panicking because it was just after July 7. I had to do it."
He added: "It's nice to be recognised what I did but I'm sure anyone in my situation would have done what I did."
PCSO Packirisamy was presented with his award by Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Mark Heath and Mayor of Camden Councillor Barbara Hughes.
Brave officers who were first on the scene at the horrific axe killing of Brian Messitt by Joseph Sheehan in Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, last March were also commended at the ceremony.
PC Stuart Morris, who arrived at the scene with Sergeant Rebecca Reeves and PC Gareth James, said: "It's good to be recognised. This was horrific for everyone that had been witness to it."
Sergeant Reeves, who had been promoted just two months earlier, said: "The man was standing there, covered in blood. We shouted at him to drop the axe and step away and he did."
Nine officers were commended for their bravery and professionalism in dealing with the London bombings.
Borough Commander's Commendations were presented to: Joe Akram from Victim Support Service, PC Paul Bennett, PC Louise Berry, PC Stuart Blackman, Acting Sergeant Dave Brown, PC Gary Caffrey, Inspector Kevin Concannon, Sergeant Helen Cryer, PC Paul Edwards, Communications Officer David Hartwell, DC Andrew Henderson, DC Peter Hopkinson, PC Ashley Hussain, Communications Officer Steve Hyman, PC Gareth James, PC Sean Jennings, Sergeant Deirdre Matthews, PC Ian Miller, PC Stuart Morris, PCSO Uthayakumar Packirisamy, Inspector Michael Partridge, PC David Petch, Sergeant Rebecca Reeves, PC Heath Rogers, PC Richard Rogers, Communications Officer Courtenay Vincent, Hilary Wears from Camden LGBT Forum.
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