The town’s elected Mayor Chris Cooke praised their courage and professionalism as they responded to events captured on CCTV.
The same individual would subsequently cause significant criminal damage to a Middlesbrough Council building and has since been jailed.
In the first incident last Monday (September 15), Council Neighbourhood Safety Wardens were first on the scene to reports of a man brandishing knives on Corporation Road in the town centre.
After ensuring members of the public were at a safe distance, they were then chased by the man and took refuge in a nearby business while summoning back-up.
Three more wardens arrived, and when the man put down his knives as he attempted to enter the arcade, one of them tackled him and they were able to restrain him until the police arrived.
Having been released on bail, the 42-year-old was again arrested the following day for being drunk and disorderly in the town centre.
The next day (Wednesday, September 17) he smashed a number of windows at the Council’s Customer Centre in Middlesbrough House, causing considerable alarm to staff working inside the building.
After the third incident, he was arrested and sentenced to a total of 16 weeks behind bars for possession of a bladed article and a number of other offences.
Paying tribute to the officers, Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “These officers acted with immense bravery, and it’s only right that they should be recognised for their actions in what must have been a terrifying situation.
“Their first thought was to protect the public, and to contain this dangerous individual until police officers arrived on the scene.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare, but their professionalism and commitment to duty is a credit both to them and to the town as whole.”
