Cathedral constables win bravery accolades

A CATHEDRAL Constable who scaled the roof of York Minster on a wet and windy night to help a man in distress will be presented with an award today.

Adam Rickers climbed scaffolding overlooking Dean’s Park in September after reports of a man on the cathedral’s roof.

When he found him 820ft above the ground, he walked along the roof edge and climbed a 30ft pinnacle to get close enough to speak to the man.

He kept him calm until a trained negotiator arrived and the man eventually agreed to come down and be taken to hospital for an assessment.

Mr Rickers, as well as Cathedral Constable Beverley Martin, will be presented with awards today in the Minster’s 13th century Chapter House for their bravery in separate incidents this year.

Recalling the night in September, Mr Rickers said: “Even though we take every precaution to stop people climbing onto the scaffolding, people in crisis are often the most determined in finding a way through and putting themselves in harm’s way.

“It was a horrible situation, at great height on a dark, windy and wet night.

“But there was someone in acute distress and it was my duty as a police officer and a responsible person to go to his aid.”

Ms Martin is being given her award for chasing a man who had violently assaulted two people, including a man aged in his 80s, outside the Minster in June.

She caught up as the offender confronted a group of people waiting for a taxi, managing to handcuff him and detain him, despite his violent abuse and struggling, until police officers arrived.

Mark Sutcliffe, the Inspector of Cathedral Police at York Minster, said: “Both constables put themselves at enormous personal risk to protect the public and preserve life.”