A PILOT an ambulance paramedic and a police officer were rewarded for their involvement in arrests made after a raid on Potterne Post Office at the forces awards ceremony.

Police helicopter pilot Captain Rob Backus, PC Nigel Gilbert, who was the observer, and paramedic Jo Munday received certificates of recognition of outstanding teamwork and certificates of excellence.

Back in February 2014 reports were received that a robbery was taking place in Potterne involving two men armed with a pistol. The only description was that one man had a white hoody on.

Shortly after the helicopter arrived over the scene, Captain Backus saw a man with a light coloured top run in to a house. By using the mapping system Ms Munday then identified the address which enabled an address check to be initiated. As a result of this both offenders were identified and subsequently arrested. Two replica pistols were also seized.

The citation read: "If it hadn’t been for Captain Backus’ diligence in actually sighting the man from 1,500 feet up, Ms Munday’s use of the mapping, and PC Gilbert’s co-ordination of liaison with ground units the offenders may not have been identified and certainly not arrested so soon.

"This was a very high profile incident with a large community impact, and the fact that it was brought to such a quick and successful conclusion will have clearly and demonstrably increased Wiltshire Police's reputation within the community. This was down in the main to the excellent teamwork of these three members of staff, all from different backgrounds but working so well together."