Police officers recognised for dealing with crazed hostage taker, Wayne Todd, in Olympic Way last year

Homeless Wayne Todd locked himself and his former partner in a bathroom in a flat in Olympic Way on July 4 2015, holding her captive during a two-and-half-hour-long siege which only ended when police Tasered him seven times.

PCs James Francis and Usman Shafique were praised by Chief Constable Francis Habgood for their courage and professionalism in dealing with Todd after they responded to a 999 call from a member of public who had heard a woman screaming from inside a property.

The pair received Higher Commendations from the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police at an awards ceremony on November 24.

The two PCs were among a group of officers, including firearms officers, who responded to the incident.

When they arrived, they found that Todd had locked the woman inside a room in the flat and was refusing to let her leave.

He was armed with a chisel and repeatedly stabbed at the officers, including PC Francis' chest.

Todd then harmed himself and repeatedly made threats to kill the officers and cause a gas explosion, while smashing up the flat and turning on taps to flood it. 

The officers were able to remove the woman to safety and, following a violent struggle, Todd was restrained and arrested.

He was convicted at Reading Crown Court on July 22 of two counts of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm, one count of affray in which he used or threatened unlawful violence towards two police officers, false imprisonment, destroying property, assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and one charge of making threats to kill.

He was jailed for 10 years and nine months.

PCs Francis and Shafique were commended for their selfless actions and persistence to protect the victim and free her from the property unharmed.

Six firearms officers will also receive commendations in January for their response to the incident.