A POLICE officer heroically tackled a knife-wielding thug in New York and was given a medal hours afterwards.

Former St Edward's School pupil and Parkstone sea cadet Colin Webber, 37, wrestled the man to the ground after the attacker stabbed a jeweller three times.

It is the second time father-of-one Sergeant Webber has been recognised for bravery.

He was nominated for a Sun newspaper police bravery award in 2001 for battling with a man who had killed a pensioner and who was armed with iron bars.

He and his wife, PC Claire Webber, 38, were on holiday and went to the New York area known as the "diamond district" this week.

Speaking at a press conference in New York, Mr Webber joked his wife - who also helped in the incident by keeping people away - had been trying to "con" him into buying a diamond necklace but that he'd now "got away with it".

But his mother, Maureen, at her home in Hamble Road, Oakdale, said: "She's said he's not going to get away with it - she said she'll be taking him back."

His father, John - who was a bandmaster with Parkstone sea cadets - said the whole family was extremely proud of Colin but hoped this would be the last time his son hit the headlines.

He said: "Of course, we are all really proud of him. He's a really nice chap. But we worry for him - he could have been hurt. It's a risk."

But he said 6ft 2in tall Sgt Webber was used to dealing with some of the rougher elements of society in his Leicester patch on a Friday and Saturday night.

His training in the army from the age of 17 has also stood him in good stead. He was a sergeant instructor at Deepcut Barracks in Surrey and served in the first Gulf War in 1991.

About five years ago he started with the police in Leicester.

As well as a bravery award, Sgt Webber was given gifts including gold cufflinks and a pin but declined lunch with the New York mayor because he did not want to miss his flight home.

First published: October 29