TWO officers who rushed into a bomb-blasted restaurant to be confronted by Islamic extremist Nicky Reilly have won awards for their bravery.

It is almost a year since Exeter was plunged into mayhem when a home- made explosive was detonated in the Giraffe Restaurant,  Princesshay.

Now more than 100 police and security staff at Princesshay have been recognised for their actions when the potentially fatal plot unfolded.

PCs Adam Goodman and Oliver Henton, who are based at Heavitree Road police station, were the first into the Giraffe restaurant on May 22, last year, not knowing if there were other bombs inside.

Mohamad Abdulaziz Rashid Saeed-Alim, otherwise known as Nicky Reilly, 23, had travelled to Exeter from his home in Plymouth with a rucksack containing a home-made nail bomb.

It was partially detonated by Reilly in his hands in the restaurant toilet but was meant to have killed dozens of innocent people.

Reilly was jailed at the Old Bailey in January for life with a minimum of 18 years for his botched bomb attack.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said; “The PCs displayed great bravery in their swift and professional arrest of the man responsible and in the positive reassurance they demonstrated to the many members of the public in and around the scene.”

At the time, the city centre was extremely busy with shoppers and workers.

Both officers remained with Reilly as he was taken to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital to be treated for his injuries.

While he was being escorted to hospital, Reilly became increasingly agitated and the officers calmed him down, gaining his trust in extremely challenging circumstances.

They worked swiftly to preserve vital evidence on him and kept guard at the hospital for an extended period of time.

They have received Chief Constable commendations for their actions in a rare and dangerous situation.

Five members of the Princesshay security staff and management team were given good citizenship awards.

Princesshay operations manager Andrew Littlejohns; security manager Craig Bevis; security supervisor Dan Davids and security officers Martin Reggler and Sam Meakin-Scott assisted with a complex evacuation of all city centre premises to safeguard the public.

They also ensured that safety was maintained by manning the cordons protecting the scene. Also rewarded was Detective Sergeant Ivor Lloyd, in charge of all the crime scenes including the Giraffe restaurant and six properties; Sgt Michael Rose, in charge of searching the area for other devices; Exeter diversity officer Kelly Haggett; Detective Superintendent Russell Middleton; Chief Superintendent Jo Tennant and Detective Sergeant Austin Ellis.

Chief Constable Stephen Otter led the award ceremony this week in a secret location in Devon.

The event was attended by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Sir John Cave; the High Sheriff of Devon, David Fursdon and the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Paul Smith.