A police community support officer has been praised by a father after he dramatically stopped a car, with a baby girl inside, from rolling down a hill in St Agnes.

PCSO Richard Hill (pictured) was parked nearby when he saw what he thought was an empty convertible rolling backwards down the slipway towards the beach at Trevaunance Cove.

He saw a man frantically trying to stop the Audi A3 from rolling but the car was gathering pace, heading towards a number of pedestrians who would not have had chance to avoid the car.

He quickly drove his marked police car into the path of the oncoming car causing the Audi to collide with it, shortly before 10.40am on Saturday, June 14.

PCSO Richard Hill, based in Perranporth, said: “Luckily I managed to prevent the car from going down the slipway, into the pedestrians and over the top onto the beach.

“Once the car stopped, I noticed the man reach into the back of the convertible and pick up a baby from the rear seat.

“It was very much a case of right time, right place. Thankfully nobody was injured and the only damage was to the cars.”

Simon Cohen, the car owner and father of 14-month-old Seren, said: “PCSO Hill is a complete hero in my eyes. He is a testament to the force.

“He saw the look in my eyes as the car rolled backwards and made a quick decision to put himself in harm’s way. He is an absolute legend.

“I am eternally grateful and would like to say a huge thank you for what he did. If he hadn’t taken that action my daughter could have been harmed as well as other pedestrians, and property could have been severely damaged.

“What he did and how he responded afterwards was professional, calm and kind. The officers that arrived at the scene afterwards were nothing but kind, calm and warm as well.

“He made what could have been a traumatic experience into something we can all learn from.

“If all of the other officers in the force are like PCSO Hill, we’re in safe hands.

“Although Seren was oblivious to the situation, if she could speak, I’m sure she would say thank you to the officer as well.”

There was slight body work damage to the door of the police car and minor scratches to the back bumper of the Audi.

The handbrake of the Audi is currently being tested to find out why it failed to work.