Two people from Coventry are to be awarded today for their public spirited action.

The two people, a man and a woman, both stepped in to help during violent incidents in the city, risking their own safety to help others.

In the first incident, off-duty bus driver William Harvey went to the assistance of police officers trying to arrest a gang of violent youths at Pool Meadow bus station last summer.

On 23 June last year, a group of ten youths had become very abusive towards the security guards. As a result of their continued abusive behaviour two of the group were arrested during which both youths were extremely violent towards the officers and resisted arrest.

Superintendent Jim McGinty based at Little Park Street said:

"Fortunately for the officers involved Mr Harvey intervened and aided in restraining the offenders.

"If he had not then I have no doubt that the officers would have received substantial injury due to the violent nature of those being arrested. Mr Harvey acted without request and without regard for the consequences of his actions."

Two youths were arrested and appeared before Coventry Youth Court. The first was convicted of assaulting a police constable. The second youth was convicted of disorderly and abusive behaviour, 47 year old Mr Harvey, who lives in Wyken, will be presented with a Chief Constable’s Good Citizenship Certificate.

Also receiving a Chief Constable’s Good Citizenship Certificate is 22 year old Rebecca Harling, who rescued a woman being attacked in a Coventry car park.

On 8 December 1997, Miss Harling was walking across a car park in Much Park Street when she saw a woman being attacked. Without regard for her own safety, she confronted the attacker and fought him off, despite being attacked herself.

Miss Harling, a student living in Cheylesmore, later picked out the offender in an identification parade. Superintedent Jim McGinty of Little Park Street said

"Miss Harling actions were very brave.

"On hearing screams, Miss Harling rushed to help the woman putting her own personal safety on the line, and even as she herself was punched in the face she continued to struggle with the man and eventually forced him away."

A 27 year old man was later arrested and charged with assault and two other attacks. He was later mentally assessed at Reaside Clinic and sentenced to an indefinite period of detention in a secure hospital.

Two Coventry shopkeepers who tackled and detained a man armed with a canister of CS gas are to be presented with Good Citizens awards for their bravery.

Mrs Shanaz Mirza, 46, was working in a newsagents shop in Holbrook Lane, Coventry on 7 August 1998 when a man sprayed her in the face with CS gas and snatched cash from the till.

Despite suffering the effects of the gas, Mrs Mirza managed to hold onto the robber until help arrived in the form of Luke Brunt, 20, who was working in the shop next door. Mr brunt heard the commotion and immediately went to her assistance. He too was sprayed by the gas and all three ended up outside the shop on the pavement when a passing police officer, PC John Adams, saw what was happening and arrested the man.

The robber. Who pleaded guilty to robbery and the possession of a prohibited weapon, was given four years imprisonment for the offence. The judge said:

"Newsagents serving the community have to be protected."

In supporting the recommendation of the awards Superintedent Bob Minshull, Commander of the Stoney Stanton Road OCU (operational command unit) said;

"I fully support these recommendations, Mrs Mirza and Mr Blunt were extremely brave and enabled the offender to be arrested and dealt with."

In his letter to both shopkeepers Chief Constable Edward Crew said:

"Thank you for your public spirited action. It is only by the public helping us that we have any hope of defeating crime."

Two West Midlands Police officers based at Chace Avenue are to receive commendations for bravery after saving the life of a woman in a smoke filled room.

The two, Sergeant Kerry Blakeman, 32, and PC David Williams, 34, were the first on the scene of a house fire in Terry Road, Coventry on 2 July 1998.

They had been told that there was someone trapped inside the house which had thick smoke billowing from the front room window. The two therefore got down on their hands and knees and crawled into the hallway. They heard groaning coming from the lounge, where the fire ahs started after a cigarette had been dropped on a sofa, and Sgt Blakeman managed to make his way into the lounge and find the woman who had collapsed on the floor.

He dragged her into the hall to PC Williams and then the two dragged her outside to safety. The woman, who was unconscious, was resuscitated and did not need hospital treatment.

Fire Station Officer Jeffrey Ezard said:

"My officers would not have entered the building without breathing equipment. If the woman had been exposed to the smoke for much longer she could have died either from the smoke itself or from the fire."