11 October 2007
Stormont heroine who foiled shooting and bomb attack named as
2007 Sheriffs' Award winner
A Belfast security officer’s selfless bravery has been
recognised, after she was named the recipient of the 2007 Sheriffs’
Award.
Susan Porter, from Saintfield, County Down, is only the second
person to receive an award in the Sheriff’s name for 1,000
years.
A Federal Services security officer at Stormont parliamentary
complex, Northern Ireland, Susan was on duty on Friday 24 November
2006 when Michael Stone, six times convicted murderer, attempted to
bomb the building.
With Stone shouting “I have a bomb” and
pointing a gun at security guards, she acted instantly and
struggled with Stone to disarm him. With a fellow officer she
managed to tackle him to the ground. Suffering a broken wrist she
looked for a way to immobilise the assailant and thinking quickly
she tied his shoelaces together.
Working with her colleagues Susan helped to drag Stone out of
the building where they removed knives and his gun. Police officers
were soon on the scene to arrest Stone, and bomb disposal officers
later confirmed that Stone was carrying a bomb.
Sheriff of the City of London, Ian Luder, presented Susan Porter
with the 2007 Sheriff’s Award for outstanding bravery at Guildhall
on 10 October. Sheriff Luder said; “the outstanding bravery award
is a reminder of to us all of the extraordinary courage and bravery
displayed by Susan Porter while protecting fellow citizens.
“Unquestionably her heroic efforts helped to prevent a tragedy
that would have claimed lives,” Sheriff Luder said.
Susan Porter’s name will be listed in the Old Bailey Book of
Honour.
The Sheriffs’ Award is an initiative by the Company of Security
Professionals, which numbers 270 members and is a modern version of
the trade guilds that maintained quality-control in goods and
services during the Middle Ages. The company is on track to become
the City’s 108th Livery Company, a rank referring to the ancient
right to wear a special “uniform” and take part in elections for
the Lord Mayor.
Master of the Company of Security Professionals, Peter French,
said:
“Selflessness and community service are vital qualities in a
successful security professional, the people who make the Square
Mile such a great place to live, work and study. We designed the
award to honour individuals or organisations who have shown unusual
courage or initiative in protecting people, property or
liberty.”
Media contact: Cubby Fox, City of London Press Office on 020
7332 3451
Notes
- The City of London Corporation supports the business City as
the world's leading international financial and business centre as
part of its role in providing local government services for the
Square Mile. The City’s Lord Mayor travels the world, facilitating
links between the UK-based financial services industry and
fast-growing nations, working alongside the FCO, UKTI and the
Treasury.
- The City provides local authority services to the Square Mile
and other “extra” services to London and the UK, including running
the Old Bailey, the wholesale food markets and the Heathrow Animal
Reception Centre, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, the Barbican Arts
Centre and many other world-class facilities and services.
- The Sheriffs, who attend the Lord Mayor and the
sessions at the Central Criminal Court, have many important civic
roles. Although they no longer have an executive function as law
officers, Sheriffs act as hosts at the Old Bailey and assist the
Senior Judge, the Recorder of London, in supervising Lord Mayor
elections. To have served as Sheriff is an important pre-condition
for Lord Mayors.