Praise for off-duty call-handler who stopped to help woman at risk in Maidstone

A call-handler in Kent Police’s Force Control Room has been praised for her off-duty actions to help save a woman who was trying to harm herself.

Call-handler and dispatcher Jasmine stopped and called police at 1.30am in the morning after seeing a woman being restrained in Sandling Road, Maidstone.

It transpired that the woman was suffering a mental health episode and her mother was attempting to stop her harming herself. Despite it being a fast-moving road, Jasmine stopped and called police, liaising with officers and giving clear and concise information to allow the patrol to locate the incident within minutes.

The officers were then able to diffuse the situation and the woman was placed in the care of medical professionals.

Chief Inspector of the Force Control Room Lee Cheesman said: ‘Jasmine immediately recognised the high risk nature of the incident, stopping on a busy road and communicating effectively to ensure the right help was sent quickly.

She did the right thing and played a significant role in seeing a safe conclusion to the call and I commend her for her actions.’

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