Cumbria police officers who fought off a knife attacker and helped put dangerous offenders behind bars have been honoured. Police chief constable Darren Martland presented the commendations at the Roundthorn Hotel, near Penrith, recognising extraordinary bravery, professionalism and selflessness across the county. Detective Constable Aly Douglas, from the Derwent and Esk criminal investigation department, was commended for leading a domestic abuse investigation that resulted in a 14-year prison sentence. Her investigation involved gathering evidence while supporting the victim and searching for the perpetrator after he went on the run from police. At Crown Court, the man was convicted of three counts of rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and threats with a firearm. Detective Sergeant Stewart Glendinning received recognition after an investigation into non-recent sexual offences led to a 25-year jail term. He began investigating in 2021 and identified a second victim during his enquiries, running both cases in parallel. After the suspect was found guilty at Crown Court, a 25-year sentence was imposed and the detective later went on to be promoted. Detective Constable Katherine Taylor was also commended for a two-year investigation into non-recent sexual offences against a child. Her work led to a 25-year prison sentence and a life place on the sex offenders register. The offender was sentenced at Crown Court. Detective Constable Rebecca Lynch and Detective Inspector Stephen Kidd were honoured for a thorough investigation into a man convicted of 20 offences against children. The outcome was a custodial sentence of more than two decades. Police officers survived an ordeal in Carlisle in May 2025 when confronted by an attacker armed with a knife in a confined space. The officers attended an address in Carlisle after a woman reported she believed she had been the victim of a serious offence and appeared to be in a mental health crisis. As the officers tried to calm her and arrange help through mental health services, the attacker came out with a large knife and slashed a police officer across the face. Another officer used incapacitant spray to subdue the attacker after the confrontation. The awards recognise the officers’ work and the court outcomes, including the prison terms. The commendations were presented on Thursday November 12.