Croydon police officer delighted with New Year's honour (From Croydon Guardian)

Croydon police officer delighted with New Year's honour

2:20pm Thursday 3rd January 2013 in News

A Croydon inspector, who stood up to a gang of youths during the riots, said he was delighted to be honoured by the Queen.

Jack Ioannou, 58, has worked in the borough since 2005, running BTP in Croydon. He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for his work with the British Transport Police (BTP).

He is also a member of the Croydon Community Police Consultative Group and set up and chairs the Croydon Travel Watch initiative, which helps keep passengers safe.

He was commended for his bravery in 2011 after leading a small team of BTP officers against a group of more than 100 masked and hooded youths during the riots.

Mr Ioannou said: “I am delighted and honoured to receive this award. It would not have been possible without the support of my colleagues and, of course, my family.”

Elspeth Pringle, of Coulsdon, was made an MBE for her services to law and order. Mrs Pringle works for the Crown Prosecution Service as part of the Central Fraud Group.

A CPS spokeswoman said: “This is much more than a job to Elspeth. She is a model of good practice and is committed to achieving justice.”

Bus Station Controller Nana Abrah Nyarko, 52, from Thornton Heath, was appointed an MBE for services to London buses.

He has worked as a controller since 2004 and during the 2011 riots he refused to lock the bus station, despite police advice it was for his own safety, as he wanted to advise passengers about what was going on.