THE unarmed police officers who chased down and captured the gun and knife wielding murderer of MP Jo Cox have been nominated for a national Police Bravery Award.

PCs Craig Nicholls and Jonathan Wright pursued Thomas Mair through the streets after Mrs Cox was shot and stabbed outside a constituency surgery in Birstall a year ago.

The pair rugby-tackled Mair to the ground after spotting him walking along the street and managed to pin him down until armed officers arrived to assist.

Their actions were recognised last month as they won West Yorkshire Police’s bravery award and the force’s employee of the year award.

But now they have gone forward to the national Police Bravery Awards, which are organised by the Police Federation and honour officers who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.

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PC Nicholls said he and PC Wright knew the MP for Batley and Spen had been shot and stabbed as they were deployed in search of the killer.

He added: “We both ran towards the male - as we started running towards him he’s gone to put his hands down the front of his shirt.

“We rugby-tackled him to the ground. We didn’t have a conversation at all, it just happened.”

Nick Smart, chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation, praised the constables for their bravery. He said: “When faced with the unthinkable on that day – Craig and Jonathan reacted with bravery, compassion, courage and commitment.

“Our unarmed colleagues went to work that summer’s day not knowing what they would face. When the call came in, they ran towards danger without a thought for their own safety.

“Our colleagues all deserve the highest of praise for their bravery that day. And we at West Yorkshire Police Federation will ensure their actions on that day are not forgotten.”

As part of their nomination the officers will attend a reception and an evening awards ceremony in London in July.

It was announced earlier this month that the officers are to received the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for their actions.

Mother-of-two Mrs Cox, who represented Batley and Spen, was remembered at a series of events in the last few weeks around the first anniversary of her death on June 16.