A police officer who came face-to-face with a man wielding a handgun has been commended for his bravery.

PC Ryan Moody was on plain-clothed bike duty with colleagues in the Cippenham area. They had been responding to ongoing issues of anti-social behaviour and drug dealing in the area.

At about 1.45am on Sunday, July 26 he spotted a group of three males in an alleyway near Cippenham Lane. As the officers approached the trio, two of them made off leaving the third man standing alone.

PC Moody remained with this man while his colleagues chased after the other two. The man pointed a handgun directly at him but PC Moody incapacitated him with a spray gun before a colleague returned to the scene to help him.

A 23-year-old man was subsequently charged with being in possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

The handgun turned out to to be a replica.

PC Moody was one of several officers and civilians commended at a special ceremony last week.

He was handed his commendation by Thames Valley's chief constable Francis Habgood Chief Constable Habgood praised PC Ryan and his fellow commendation recipients, saying: “We have examples of courage and professionalism in the face of extremely difficult and, in some cases, life-threatening incidents.

"While the officers are, of course, trained to deal with such incidents, to face these and themselves administer first aid, while dealing with heightened situations unfolding around them, is a real skill and they deserve recognition for their quick-thinking actions.”