The sergeant first to arrive at the scene of a fatal shooting during last years riots, was one of 22 officers from British Transport Police commended at a ceremony last week.

The officers were awarded Chief Constable's commendations in recognition of their professionalism, resilience and bravery, during the disorder in London last August.

Among those commended was Sergeant Joanna Harvey who found Trevor Ellis suffering gun shot wounds in a vehicle on Duppas Hill Road.

Mr Ellis, 26, of Brixton, was unconscious in a stationary vehicle after being shot in the head. He was taken to hospital but died the following day.

On arrival Sgt Harvey and other officers immediately took action to preserve the scene, before dispersing a fifty-strong group of youths who had begun to approach the vehicle and were becoming aggressive.

A group of 11 officers were commended after spending five hours fending off over 100 masked youths close to West Croydon station.

The youths had begun to smash shop windows and threw stones and glass at officers. The group also attempted to throw a petrol bomb at the officers, but were unsuccessful.

Ten officers who patrolled Hackney and Barking were also commended for preventing major looting despite coming under attack from missiles.

Chief Constable Andrew Trotter said: "I am delighted to have been able to commend the absolute professionalism, courage and resilience BTP officers showed during the period of disorder last summer.

"These officers conducted themselves with bravery and professionalism and showed a resolve to do their duty far beyond what could be reasonably expected of them, putting themselves in danger to prevent injury and harm to the public an damage to property."