A TEAM of police officers who managed to free a woman from a knife-point hostage situation have received a top award.

Officers from Barrow were commended for their roles in freeing a woman from the clutches of the knife-wielding man following a tense eight-hour stand-off.

She had been held captive in a room at the Imperial Hotel in Cornwallis Street by Bradley Charnley, who threatened to kill her if officers entered.

The hostage rescue team managed to bring the woman to safety when she and the man became involved in a physical confrontation and officers took the decision to act and force entry to the room.

Officers entered with shields and tasers and forced the man away from the hostage, at which point he turned the knife on himself. The man caused a puncture wound to his own neck before officers could get the knife away from him.

Temporary chief superintendent Rob O’Connor praised the team.

He said: “This was an incredibly challenging incident which could easily have resulted in the loss of one or more lives if not for the professionalism and calm decision making of the officers involved.

“Having already saved one life, the officers acted without hesitation to save a second after the offender inflicted injuries on himself.

“The actions of the officers were exemplary and they should each be proud of their role in safely resolving this dangerous incident.”

The officers had attended the hotel to arrest a man on suspicion of assault in May 2018.

Confronted by officers, he grabbed his partner, put a knife to her throat and retreated to a bathroom, telling officers he would kill the woman if they entered.

The Chief Constable commended 13 officers: Sgt Paul Williams, PC Anthony Johnson, PC Rickie Wallbank, PC Kate Edkins, Insp Michael Taylor ,Sgt Alan McNulty, Sgt John Chambers, Sgt Caroline Milligan, T/Insp Sara Seath, PC Justin Hill, PC Denver Matthews and retired officer Mark Ormerod. They were involved with police support, negotiations and first aid.