Four security officers from the University of Leeds were recognised at the 2016 Annual West Yorkshire Police Awards for their work. They are Stephen Beattie, Jeffrey Garforth, Travis Welsh and Rachel Guest.
Stephen, pictured centre, a dog handler at the university for 20 years, was commended for his bravery when without fear for his own safety, he disarmed a distressed individual who was brandishing a dangerous bladed weapon in a threatening manner, while attending an incident, to help that same individual.
Jeffrey Garforth, Travis Welsh and Rachel Guest, were all commended for their teamwork during a burglary at the uni’s large Business School, in the hours of darkness. Their initial observation on CCTV, attendance, preservation of the scene and arrest of the offender who had ran off, while recovering all £3000 of stolen property, assisted the police in the arrest and imprisonment of a known prolific local burglar.
Malcolm Dawson, University of Leeds Acting Head of Security said: “These were two outstanding pieces of security work that were duly recognised at the prestigious Annual West Yorkshire Police Awards Evening. All four officers were duly presented with their Police Commanders Commendations at the Gala Evening, ironically, held at the University of Leeds, which reflects on the standard of work and professionalism Security Officers carry out, not only here in Leeds, but across the wider Higher Education Sector, throughout the UK.”
