Officer and dog team which took down armed robber honoured at police awards

An officer and a police dog who teamed up to hunt down an armed robber in Slough have been recognised at a police award ceremony.

PC Chris Mumford and police dog Storm were honoured at the Joint Operation Unit (JOU) Commendations Ceremony hosted by Sulhamstead police training centre on Friday.

The pair were honoured for their actions following reports of an armed robbery in Slough by two men wearing masks in possession of a firearm and sledgehammer in January.

Following the robbery, the getaway vehicle mounted a large kerb and drove at police officers after the offenders found themselves stuck in traffic.

After crashing, the driver was arrested but the passenger ran away and was seen entering thick undergrowth.The team of PC Mumford and Storm, based at Three Mile Cross near Reading, arrived within minutes and Storm tracked down the offender in the wooded area.

As PC Mumford approached, the man’s hands were under his body and the officer ordered him to show his hands, wary that reports had said the robbery involved a firearm.  

After repeated instructions, the man complied and showed he had no weapons. PC Mumford and Storm were recognised for their courage, teamwork and determination which led to the man’s arrest.

Chief Superintendent Lucy Hutson, who hosted the awards, said: “These awards are for a mixture of achievements which reflect the diversity of work across the JOU – hard work, good decisions, facing danger and showing professionalism are all commendable in their own way.

“The recipients of these awards are the ones whose actions have stood out for special recognition and I feel a great sense of admiration and gratitude towards those involved.”