Brave Angus police officers honoured for dramatic sea rescue

A pair of Angus police officers who saved a woman from the night-time waters of the wintry North Sea have been honoured for their bravery.

Sergeant Andrew Sheppard and Constable Rory Forge waded into the water at Arbroath to grab the fully-clothed female in a dramatic rescue that has earned them recognition in the latest round of Police Scotland bravery and meritorious service awards.

They received the accolade from Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone at the Scottish Police College, Tulliallan, where 28 police officers and 24 members of the public were recognised.

The Arbroath incident took place in early November 2015 when police received a report of a fully-clothed woman walking into the sea at the West Links.

She could be seen some distance from shore and up to her neck in the water but was disappearing from sight because of the darkness and incoming waves.

The woman was looking out to sea and refused to turn around, obey instructions or even acknowledge the police were there.

The bravery citation said: “Sergeant Andrew Sheppard and Constable Rory Forge entered the water without hesitation and waded out to the woman, where the water was up to their shoulders.

“They managed to take hold of the woman and bring her safely to shore. The woman was subsequently taken to hospital by ambulance and made a full recovery.

“Both officers placed themselves in considerable personal danger.

“Had they not done so there is a strong possibility that due to the time she had been in the water she may have succumbed to the cold.”

Both officers then went home, changed their clothing and came back to duty to complete their shifts.

Mr Livingstone said: “Police Scotland officers often find themselves in situations, as part of their duty, where they go above and beyond what would normally be expected.”