Police praised for ‘calm’ response to help bring vulnerable woman from sea at Redcar

A member of the public raised concern for the woman who appeared to have gone into the sea off the town’s Esplanade, late on Tuesday (April 23).

Cleveland Police said a Sergeant Wilkinson, along with PCs Gray and Sell, reached the scene shortly after midnight and discovered the woman was in the sea, as the caller had feared.

They began to engage with her and PC Gray entered the water, speaking to the woman and attempting to gain her trust.

(Image: The Northern Echo) Meanwhile Sgt Wilkinson was discreetly using his radio to guide his colleague to enable him to manoeuvre the woman into a position where he and PC Sell could safely help her from the sea.

The woman, in her 20s, eventually left the water and came ashore just before 12.30am, where she was attended to by the officers.

(Image: The Northern Echo) Redcar Response Chief Inspector Mark Pitt described the officers’ actions as, “a great example of compassionate and empathetic policing.”

He said the trio showed, “some excellent and strategic teamwork” during the rescue response.

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“The officers’ combined efforts meant they were eventually able to persuade her to return to the shore so she could receive the help she needed. 

“I’m very impressed by the way they worked together in a calm and professional manner to resolve this incident safely.”

The woman involved was said to have been taken from the breach, “to a place of safety”, following the incident.