^HERO^ MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC COMMENDED BY CHIEF CONSTABLE AFTER INTERVENING IN STATION FIGHT - SLOUGH
A member of the public who bravely and selflessly intervened in a large-scale fight at Slough rail station has been awarded a Chief Constable^s commendation.
Jake Farr (20), from Hayes, was presented with the award by Chief Constable Andrew Trotter, of British Transport Police (
BTP▸ ), during a ceremony held at the Force^s Headquarters on Friday, 14 October.
Jake was commended for his brave and courageous actions during the incident, which took place around 9pm on Thursday, 18 June 2009.
The disturbance began after a group of three couples were walking through the station after attending Ladies Day at Royal Ascot. Standing on the platform at the time was a group of a dozen drunken young men who had also attended the races. As the couples walked past, an accidental bump led to an altercation.
The group of men followed the couples onto a narrow overbridge, where a large fight ensued with more men arriving to join in. The fight involved punches thrown from both sides, with at least one woman being kicked to the ground.
Jake heard a scream for assistance from the overbridge and went alone to assist.
On arrival at the scene, Jake managed to pull one person away and tried to reason with him in an attempt to calm the situation down. In doing so, he was punched and elbowed in the face but he continued to try and calm events.
The fight ended a short while later and Jake remained at the station until police officers arrived before assisting them with their enquiries. He gave a witness statement the same night and also attended an identity procedure the following month.
At court, Jake was subjected to an extensive cross-examination yet he continued to courteously answer questions from all six barristers. Four of the men were eventually convicted and received prison sentences.
BTP Chief Constable Andrew Trotter said: ^Jake was described as a hero by a woman giving evidence at the trial and he was also deservedly commended by the judge. He gave no thought to his own safety and, despite being heavily outnumbered, he chose to step into a dangerous situation and do all that he could to help. Jake^s actions were selfless, public-spirited and those of a very brave and courageous young man. I am delighted to be able to congratulate and commend him.^
After receiving his award, Jake Farr said: ^d spotted the group at Windsor earlier and thought I^d keep out of their way as they were drunk and it seemed like there might be some trouble. Later, at Slough station, I was on the bridge when I heard one of the women screaming in fear; I^ve never heard anything like that before.
^My family have always brought me up to respect women and I just knew at that moment that I had go and help. I didn^t stop to think about the situation I was putting myself in; I just knew I had to step in.
^m very pleased and proud to receive the award, although I don^t think I did anything out of the ordinary, I just did what I hope anyone would have done.^
