FIVE Swindon officers have been voted the bravest bobbies in the south west at the 11th annual Police Bravery Awards in London.

Constable Julian Corbett and detectives Mark Cains, Mark Luffman, Gary Ortiz and James Taylor clinched the title at a glittering awards night, organised by the Police Federation yesterday.

The officers, who also met Tony Blair, were among eight regional winners at the ceremony to recognise officers who put themselves at risk of death or serious harm performing their duties.

They broke up a gunfight in London as they travelled undercover as part of an unconnected Wiltshire operation.

The five were driving through West Norwood when they saw two men fighting at a bus stop. Shots were fired.

One bullet shattered the glass of the bus stop while another passed over the bonnet of their car.

The police arrested the men after a struggle. One man was acquitted. The other was found guilty of possessing a loaded pistol, a MAC-10 machine pistol with ammunition with intent to endanger life. He was jailed for 14 years.