POLICE officers and members of the public who showed outstanding bravery were honoured by the Chief Constable last night.

Fifteen officers and five civilians received awards at a ceremony at Lancashire Constabulary headquarters in Hutton.

Among the recipients was PC Mohammed Khan, a young East Lancashire officer who rescued a car thief moments before the car he had stolen exploded in flames.

"It is always a pleasure and an honour to be involved in any event which pays tribute to officers and members of the public who have exhibited courage and skill in difficult and dangerous circumstances," said Chief Constable Pauline Clare. "There can surely be nothing more noble than these selfless acts."

The East Lancashire officers who were honoured were:

PC Mohammed Khan, 25, from Haslingden. He was on patrol in Haslingden when he saw a car mount the pavement and crash into a bus shelter. He ran to the burning wreckage where a 17-year-old was shouting for help and pulled him out moments before the stolen vehicle exploded.

PC Julian Platt, 25, and PC Carl Simister, 37, both from Accrington. They disarmed a man who was threatening to kill himself with a 12-inch knife at a house in Rhyddings Street, Oswaldtwistle.

The man lunged at them with the knife and tried to throw himself out of the window before he was overpowered. He was later sentenced to five years for rape.

PC Mark Whelan, 30, from Accrington. He was called to an incident in Blackburn town centre when a man aimed a rifle directly at him.

The offender was later given 12 months probation and ordered to do 100 hours community service.

PC Brendan Wood, 32, from Barnoldswick, PC James Ryder, 40, from Fence and Martyn Smith, from Barnoldswick. They disarmed a man with a knife who was causing a disturbance at a pub. The man was later given a 12-month probation order for possessing an offensive weapon.

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