A police officer who helped an elderly woman in Nottingham has been praised for being there in her “hour of need”.
PC Sam Warren went to her aid when he spotted the woman and her husband struggling to climb a hill in Park Row, in Nottingham city centre.
The kind-hearted Response officer got out his police car and asked if they were OK. The husband explained his wife had become unwell and was at the point of collapse.
PC Warren offered to take them to hospital but instead they asked to be given a lift to their son’s address so she could rest. The officer helped the lady into his car and drove them to their son’s flat, where he helped her into the property.
Impressed by his act of kindness, the husband wrote into Central Police Station, where PC Warren is based, to thank him for his compassion and help.
The couple, who live in West Lancashire and were on a visit to Nottingham, also sent him a Christmas card.
In the letter (which can be read below), the husband says “I don’t know what may have become of us” had PC Warren not stopped his car and come to their aid.
It added: “My wife is now recovered and we are eternally grateful to him.”
Recalling the incident a week before Christmas, PC Warren said: “I was driving at the back of the police station and could see the lady was struggling for breath and was leant against a signpost.
“I wound down my window and asked if they were OK. The husband said his wife had a heart condition and was unable to continue up the hill.
“I asked if they wanted a lift or if I could take her to the hospital if she wanted to get checked out. She didn’t want to go to hospital so I gave them a lift to their son’s flat, which is where they were staying as they weren’t from Nottingham. They said the flat was at the top of a steep hill, so I offered to help them and gave them a lift.
“I helped her into the car and she held onto me as I got her to the door of the flat and made sure they got inside OK.
“Both of them really appreciated the help. The husband said they didn’t come to Nottingham much but that it was good the local police look out for people.”
Although it was a small act of kindness, PC Warren said it gave him the opportunity to demonstrate an important part of policing that often goes unnoticed by the public.
He said: “People think police just go around arresting people, but there’s a lot more to the job than that. We’re not just there to investigate crimes, we’re there to help people. We can be a shoulder to cry on or to give people advice. Arresting people is a small part of the job.”
He said it was a nice surprise when his neighbourhood inspector called him into his office to say he had received a thank-you letter from the couple, along with a Christmas card.
“I didn’t expect that,” said PC Warren. “I would have done it for anyone because it was the right thing to do. It leads into the force’s PROUD values (professional; respect for all; one team; utmost integrity, trust and honesty; doing it differently).
“It’s a good feeling that they’ve taken the time to write a letter and that they appreciated my help. Not everyone appreciates the police but ultimately we’re the first people somebody calls when they’re in trouble or need help from something like a car accident or they’ve been a victim of crime.”
The couple addressed the letter to city centre Chief Inspector Amy English, who said: “One of the most rewarding and satisfying aspects of being a police officer is the unique opportunity to help people in their hour of need.
“Our job is to serve the public and it is testament of PC Warren’s empathy and dedication to serving the local community that he came to the couple’s aid.
“I am pleased he has received recognition for his act of kindness and I would like to thank the couple for sending in the letter and Christmas card.
“I am also pleased to learn the lady has since recovered and on behalf of the force I send our best wishes to the couple. We hope they are able to visit Nottingham again soon.”
Below is the transcript of the letter sent by the couple:
Dear Chief Inspector English,
I am writing to you to commend one of your officers. On Saturday, 18th December my wife and I were enjoying a weekend stay in your lovely city. We had visited the Christmas Market in the morning and enjoyed lunch opposite the police station.
We were staying at my son’s flat in The Ropewalk and were retiring for the afternoon. We are both OAPs and my wife suffers from a heart condition. I’m afraid we underestimated the steep walk uphill to The Ropewalk and my wife became unwell with the climb. We were stranded by some railings, my wife unable to continue and at the point of collapse.
Just at this point, a police car slowly passed us and stopped. An officer emerged and asked if we were OK. After explaining our predicament he asked if we needed to go to hospital or a lift back to our address in the car, which we accepted. He even helped my wife from the car and into the building on The Ropewalk.
In the excitement I forgot to ask his name but thanked him for his assistance. I just thought his efforts should not go unnoticed and commend him for his diligence and quick-thinking, as I don’t know what may have become of us. My wife is now recovered and we are eternally grateful to him.
