A teenager has been hailed a hero after he stepped in to stop a thug attacking two police officers.

Kiya Ingham, 16, stepped in and restrained drunk Bradley Jay Hughes as he attacked PC Lynsey Burkinshaw and PC Johanna Clarke.

The two officers had arrested him on the Lewes Road on June 10 over a domestic incident, and while he was initially calm, he kicked out after being put into the car and attempting to escape.

Kiya, 16, who was walking past dropped his bag and immediately chased Hughes and tackled him to the ground. PCs Burkinshaw and Clarke then struggled to restrain the man with Kiya assisting.

Kiya was threatened and abused by the man but was incredibly brave and continued to assist the officers, allowing them to regain control of the man.

Once the officers had regained control and restrained the man, Kiya stood out in the road and directed policing officers arriving to back up the officers.

The road on which the incident occurred was very busy and a number of other people passed by and didn’t offer support to the officers.

Both police officers thanked Kiya for helping them and recommended he receive an award at the Brighton and Hove Divisional ceremony for his courage.

Hughes, 31, of Pelham Place, Seaford has since been convicted after pleading guilty to two counts of assaulting a police officer and received 100 hours community service.

Chief Superintendant Nev Kemp, Brighton and Hove Divisional Commander, said: “Kiya acted heroically and I commend his bravery.

“I was delighted to recognise his actions with an award in our Brighton and Hove Divisional awards ceremony, attended by Katy Bourne the Police and Crime Commissioner earlier this year.

“Kiya received a huge cheer and round of applause from everybody at the event when the footage was shown.

“The incident shows how difficult and sometimes dangerous policing can be, so we were very grateful and moved that without hesitation he stepped into help the police in such a situation.

“I also want to pay tribute to the way in which the two officers quickly regained control of the situation, despite the violence that was directed towards them. I and my team here thank him for his courage and selfless public service which helped us bring an offender to justice.”