TWO police officers had to fend off a man who charged at them waving two samurai swords.

While attending to a domestic incident in Crawley, Sergeant Ben Websdale and PC Michael Butler were confronted by the young man when they went to a domestic incident in Crawley.

The man charged at the officers with the two swords, forcing them both to move back.

PC Butler tripped on an uneven path and Sergeant Websdale put himself in harm's way to protect his colleague.

Fortunately no one was seriously injured and once more units arrived the suspect was arrested and charged.

Sergeant Websdale spoke about the drama in May 2012 at the West Sussex Divisional Awards ceremony last week (Mon 20).

He said: "It was pretty much only afterwards, I'd say probably the next day, you start thinking about how close you were to actually losing your life because you don't stand a chance with a Samurai sword, particularly two of them."

Sergeant Websdale went on to say, "Yes it is nice to be recognised with a Divisional Commendation because police do a lot of hard work, and that was a very violent situation. I'm just glad no one got hurt."

Police officers, staff, special constables, volunteers and the public were all recognised for their contribution to policing over the past year in the ceremony.

In another case, PC Luke Farley was awarded a Divisional Commendation for arresting two men following a large fight in Haywards Heath.

Initially on his own, he himself was attacked before calling for help from colleagues. He was assisted by an on-duty passing paramedic.

And PC Jamie Matlock was awarded a Chief Constable's Certificate of Merit after being tasked with reducing vehicle crime in the Chichester area last summer. Working with other organisations he identified an offender who was eventually charged with 34 thefts from vehicles.

A total of 104 awards were handed out at the ceremony.

West Sussex Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Steve Whitton said: "In my 29 years as a police officer I never cease to be amazed by the examples I see day in and day out of officers and staff going above and beyond in order to keep people safe, often putting themselves in harm's way."