A DEVON and Cornwall Police dog handler has been nominated for a police bravery award after she rescued a terrified kidnap victim.

PC Alison Cruwys, based in Exeter, was set to attend a reception at 10 Downing Street ahead of the 19th National Police Bravery Awards ceremony held at Plaisterers’ Hall, London.

Police received a report of a violent kidnap of a man in Exeter on July 22 last year.

The victim had been hit over the head with an iron bar and dragged into a car which was then driven away. Later that day the car was seen being driven suspiciously and was stopped with two suspects but the victim was not inside.

PC Cruwys and her police dog Bodie were deployed to where the car had originally been seen bbeing driven suspiciously.

Bodie tracked deep into nearby woodland where he found the injured victim tied to a tree.

Three more suspects were located nearby and PC Cruwys and Bodie chased down, confronted and detained a powerful and extremely violent man.

PC Cruwys, alone in a remote area, searched for the victim,|challenged and detained his attackers.

The victim had endured horrific injuries and feared he would be killed – he later praised the officer for saving his life.

PC Alison Cruwys said: “Being nominated is a very proud moment for me.

“I’m representing all of the other dog handlers who would have done the same thing in that situation.”