POLICE officers and members of the public have been awarded for their bravery and hard work, at a Cleveland Police ceremony.

Four police officers received Chief Constable's Commendations for outstanding work and commitment to duty work during the England v Slovakia International match last summer.

The massive police event was the biggest single operation ever covered by Cleveland Police and involved 700 officers from a number of forces.

Chief Superintendent Dave Lumb, Superintendent Stephen Ashman, Inspector Steve Kielty and Constable Ged Kirkbright received their awards at the ceremony at Ladgate Lane Headquarters, on Wednesday.

A further 28 officers and eight members of the public also received commendations, including three security officers from the University of Teesside.

The security officers received Good Citizenship Awards for assisting a student who was assaulted and robbed by two men, one of whom was armed with a knife.

Members of the public Edwin Deane and David Charlton joined PC Justin Moffitt and North Yorkshire officer PC Neil Bennett in receiving the Royal Humane Society Award for risking their lives in the freezing River Tees.

In March last year, the four men helped a driver whose car and trailer had plunged through railings into the River Tees and become submerged.

PCs Alastaire Crawford and Amanda Welsh were awarded for saving the life of a man involved in a serious stabbing incident, in Ormesby Road, Middlesbrough.

PC Peter Clifford was recognised for his excellent work in crime prevention in the Langbaurgh area.

Crash Investigation Unit officer PC Stephen McKie was commended for his commitment to duty and excellent investigation skills involving a fatal road collision in Middlesbrough.

A further 12 officers received Long Service and Good Conduct medals and six more were awarded for their work in a drugs operation in Middlesbrough.