It is a cliché to say that police officers are never off duty, but their oath of office requires them to perform their duties whenever the need arises.

Ordinary members of the public have no such responsibility, but sometimes they find themselves in frightening and difficult situations.

Early on Saturday August 13 , 2016, Graham Kinley was in bed at his home in Crosby, when he was woken by shouting. Someone had been stabbed in a neighbouring property.

He went to investigate and had his wife alert Sergeant Scott Mylchreest, who lived nearby. Together the two men found an agitated man, who claimed to have stabbed his partner.

The men entered the flat and found a badly wounded young woman, who was covered in blood.

The men genuinely feared her injuries were so serious that her life was at risk.

Meanwhile, her partner remained close by in an agitated and unpredictable state.

Sergeant Mylchreest and Mr Kinley tended to the woman and also kept the man away.

This was not easy, given the serious injuries suffered by the woman and the emotional and erratic behaviour of the man.

Prior to the arrival of police officers Sergeant Mylchreest eventually had to restrain the man on the ground, leaving Mr Kinley to provide aid to the woman.

Both men acted without thought for their own safety and their courage and calm, quick-thinking was exemplary and for this they were formally commended by the Chief Constable.