A MAN who rescued a woman from the sea was rewarded for his bravery last night.

Northumbria Police Chief Constable Crispian Strachan and police authority chairman Councillor Mick Henry presented a Royal Humane Society testimonial to Dean Mitchell for his actions at Trow Point, South Shields, south Tyneside, in October last year.

He was one of several people to get awards at a presentation at police headquarters.

The Tony Teare Memorial Trophy was presented to PC Robert Bagshaw, of the Marine Unit, who rescued a man from the sea in July last year.

The man was on the sea bed and PC Bagshaw pulled him out on his second dive, despite the fact he is not a trained diver.

Chief Constable's commendations were given to the following:

l PCs David Hamill and Colin Wood for their part in arresting armed robbers in Gateshead in January last year.

l PC James Nield, of Sunderland City, who was cycling past a newsagent's shop on his way to work last September when he noticed something suspicious inside.

He overpowered a man armed with a hammer who was trying to steal the contents of the till, and restrained him until other officers arrived.

l PCs Sharon Green, Thomas Loftus, Andrew McDaid and Michael Saunders, of Sunderland West, who were called to an incident at Cherry Knowle Hospital involving a psychiatric patient who was known to be violent and was threatening staff with a knife.

The patient injured himself before throwing the knife at officers, and was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital.

l Wanda Franczac, a warden, and Josephine Armstrong and Hilda Dilworth, residents of sheltered accommodation in Walker, Newcastle, who detained a burglar.

The chief constable also presented 34 long service and good conduct medals. Chief Commandant Douglas Knott presented two Special Constabulary long service awards.