Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, 48, a cub leader and mum of two, talks to Michael Adebowale

A woman who was dubbed the "Angel of Woolwich" for confronting the killers of soldier Lee Rigby in London has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, 49, was praised by Prime Minister David Cameron for her actions shortly after Fusilier Rigby, 25, was killed near his barracks in Woolwich in May last year.

Expand Close Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, who was praised for her bravery in calmly talking to one of the attackers as he stood clutching a knife with bloodied hands, looks at the floral tributes outside the Royal Artillery Barracks, in Woolwich, east London PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, who was praised for her bravery in calmly talking to one of the attackers as he stood clutching a knife with bloodied hands, looks at the floral tributes outside the Royal Artillery Barracks, in Woolwich, east London

But it is understood she was detained on Monday after police were called to an address in Helston, Cornwall, over concerns for the welfare of a woman.

A Devon and Police spokesman said: "On Monday June 30 following a report for a concern for welfare a 49-year-old woman from Helston was detained under the Mental Health Act.

Expand Close Ingrid Loyau-Kennett a 48-year mother-of-two described how she put her own life on the line / Facebook

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Whatsapp Ingrid Loyau-Kennett a 48-year mother-of-two described how she put her own life on the line

"She was detained at about 4.20pm and conveyed to the Royal Cornwall Hospital and released into the care of the NHS."

Ms Loyau-Kennett was under investigation following claims a Tesco worker was racially abused at a store in the town last Friday.

Expand Close Ingrid Loyau-Kennett confronts one of the attackers (@dannymckiernan) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Ingrid Loyau-Kennett confronts one of the attackers (@dannymckiernan)

A Tesco spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident which took place at our Helston store on Friday. Colleagues at the store are helping the police with their inquiries."

Ms Loyau-Kennett received national acclaim for calmly talking to armed Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale after they murdered Fusilier Rigby in the street.

On the first anniversary of the killing, Ms Loyau-Kennett spoke at the scene where she checked Fusilier Rigby's pulse and confronted Adebowale.

She said: "It has been a waste of three lives and, of course, a year on I still think about Lee Rigby's mother losing a son. It's a tragedy. I don't have flashbacks but I have been very emotional lately.

"This street looks like a normal street now but I can still see the body, see the crashed car and see the bloodied hands."

Adebolajo, 29, was given a whole life sentence, and Adebowale, 22, told he must serve a minimum of 45 years' imprisonment at the Old Bailey in February.

Online Editors