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Conference 2003 - Awards of Excellence Awards of Excellence - The Midland Area

Acting Sergeant Colin Janes and Constable Jesbir Kumar

On Saturday 3rd November 2001 at 22.30hrs both Officers were on duty at Birmingham New Street railway station when they were detailed to attend an incident at Solihull.

As they drove along Queensway an explosion took place in a adjacent parked vehicle, on stopping and investigating the source Of the explosion, they were covered in white powder from the fallout.

Their immediate concerns were that the explosion was connected with an Anthrax attack and there could also be a secondary explosion. They immediately tried to clear the area of Saturday night revellers and to preserve the crime scene. They were subsequently joined by West Midlands officers. Both officers were decontaminated by the Fire Service and examined at Selly Oak hospital for the effects of inhaling the powder.

Both officers are commended for taking control of the situation with disregard for their own safety.