A BEAT bobby has been commended for courage after tackling a knifeman.

PC Nigel Craig was with new constable Claire Trewick on her first nightshift when they were sent on an emergency call to a house in Great Lumley last September.

There a drunken man pointed a knife straight at PC Craig, who managed to force him to the ground. He and probationer PC Trewick, who had just 15 weeks experience, then handcuffed him.

"It was Claire's first nightshift and she must have thought they were all like that," said PC Craig. "It was some night."

PC Craig received his commendation from County Durham chief constable George Hedges for his actions during the knife incident.

Chief Insp Laz Szomoru, divisional operations manager, said "PC Craig displayed the very best qualities of an officer from Durham Constabulary.