TWO police constables who restrained a violent mentally ill man carrying a knife yesterday received commendations for their actions.

PCs Steve Williams and Shane Martin received the accolade during a ceremony at the North Yorkshire force headquarters, in Newby Wiske.

The dramatic events took place in February when a man was assaulted with a snooker cue outside a bar in Scarborough.

He was taken to Scarborough District Hospital and soon after the attacker rang the hospital to say he was going to kill him.

He arrived at the hospital carrying a large knife up his sleeve. The officers tackled him and he was arrested following a violent struggle. He was then admitted to hospital under the Mental Health Act.

PC Andrew Fraser also received a commendation after stopping a distressed woman from committing suicide in the sea at Scarborough's North Bay last November.

Four York men were awarded certificates of appreciation after going to the aid of a fatally injured elderly women, and catching the man who attacked her.

Paul Harrison, Stephen Armitage, Gavin Richardson and Lee Agar saw Wayne Cooper try to steal the handbag of 72-year-old Eileen Smith in Acomb, York, in August last year.

The four men, who were working in a building across the road, saw the incident and ran to help, chasing Cooper and detaining him.

Mrs Smith died from her injuries later that day. Cooper, of Danesfort Avenue, Acomb, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and robbery at York Crown Court and was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison.

A number of officers also received long service and good conduct awards. They included Acting Detective Inspector Helen Taylor, CID, Harrogate, Sergeant Andrew Nursey, custody, Northallerton and Sergeant Richard O'Neil, community safety, Richmond.