Hackney police commendations: Detectives who investigated Kirk Wynter sex worker attack receive awards

Police officers’ work and courage were lauded by Hackney’s top cop at a special ceremony.

Some were recognised for their work arresting the suspects now on trial for the murder of Mehmet Degerli, who was found dead in a Dalston car park in June. And Hackney’s police cadets got a mention for their idea to send unclaimed stolen bikes to their underprivileged peers in the Gambia.

Pc Will Richardson was commended for potentially saving a suicidal man’s life. He spotted the man – whose mother had reported him missing earlier that day – standing on the edge of a busy road bridge on his way home from his shift.

Waiting for backup to arrive, he built up a rapport with the man, and coaxed him back from the edge.

And Pc Crisp, who was also off-duty when he saw a man snatch a woman’s mobile phone, was congratulated for chasing after the thief as he cycled off before tackling him to the ground.

Borough commander Simon Laurence told the Gazette he always enjoys commendation ceremonies.

“It’s my opportunity to say thank-you in person and recognise the hard work of my officers,” he said.

“You hear of all these cases, from courageous and brave acts to tenacious investigations, to some of the most innovative and thoughtful ways of doing things.”

He continued: “My officers are facing the unknown, and they face that in order to prevent and detect crime. Sometimes they come across things that are totally unexpected and they are put at risk.

“There was a firearm recovery this week – that’s an example of how our proactive work continues, and no doubt this will end in a commendation for officers in the future.”

Det Const Sophie Hayes, Det Const Carlos Hernandez, Det Insp Paul Ridley and senior forensic practitioner Martin Saggers were also commended for investigating the case against Kirk Wynter at the ceremony.

Wynter stabbed a sex worker in the Kings Crescent Estate, Stoke Newington, leaving her with two punctured lungs and a fractured vertebra. He was jailed for 17 years in November 2015.

Det Insp Ridley told the Gazette: “We worked tirelessly for months to build the case against Wynter. When you become a detective, to have a case at the Old Bailey is always going to be a lot of pressure on you.

“It’s always nerve-wracking because you want to do what is right for the victim. You are convinced what they are saying is the truth and you hope the jury will come to the right decision because the evidence is overwhelming.”