Grimsby police officer Louise Smith in line for ITV accolade after tackling armed man

A GRIMSBY police officer already honoured for her bravery in tackling an armed burglar is in line for another award.

As reported, courageous PC Louise Smith fought to detain violent burglar Mark Pullan, who was armed with a hammer.

She has now been nominated for ITV's Daybreak Emergency Services Award.

She will feature in the programme tomorrow.

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The award is run in conjunction with The Daily Mirror's Pride Of Britain Awards and could see Louise attending a glittering ceremony at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London hosted by Carol Vorderman on October 29.

Guests include The Prince Of Wales and Prime Minister David Cameron who will be joined by Olympic and Paralympic heroes and Lord Sebastian Coe to celebrate an amazing year for the country. Other celebrities taking part include Gary Barlow, Tulisa, Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne, Mo Farrah, David Walliams, Dawn French, Rolf Harris, Tess Daly, Vernon Kay, John Bishop, Amanda Holden, Denise Van Outen, Olly Murs and Holly Willoughby.

Louise has been an officer in Grimsby for more than eight years.

Despite being just a few hours away from going on leave and two days before her wedding day, Louise grappled with Pullan after he had burgled A and D Curtains of Freeman Street, Grimsby.

Arriving on the scene, PC Smith found a man rummaging through computer gear in the alleyway behind the shop.

The officer tried to handcuff the burglar – who had taken a mix of diazepam and alcohol – but he suddenly turned to face her and they grappled.

He broke her grip and tried to scramble over metal railings at the end of the alley but she pulled him down by his feet.

He brandished a claw hammer and as she put her arm up to protect herself, he grabbed it and bit down hard, leaving bite marks on her arm.

The burglar continued to attempt to escape but he was captured as other officers arrived.

Louise told the Telegraph: "I immediately realised that this was potentially a very dangerous situation but although I was scared, all I could think was that there was no way I was letting him get away.

"I saw the glazed look in his eyes like he was under the influence of something, and when he raised the hammer I genuinely thought I was in trouble."

She pressed her panic alarm which alerted her colleagues.

She added: "I am just one of many officers who face danger every day and we can only take on these situations because we know we have the support of our colleagues.

"It is a cliche but I was only doing my job. I was never aware of any awards and not thinking of that. It is just the kind of thing we do."

Pullan was locked up for three and a half years for the offence which was committed in November 2010.

He admitted burglary and resisting arrest.

The heroic officer has already met the Prime Minister, pictured, who acknowledged her outstanding bravery last year when she visited Downing Street. She was also nominated for a National Police Bravery Award.

Louise went on to marry husband Mark and they now have an 11-month-old son Charlie.

Julie Smith, the owner of A and D Curtains, said: "A silent alarm went off and the police detained him before we arrived – and I'm glad they did or he would have had the computer, which has some very important information on it.

"It was a dangerous situation to go into alone and she could have waited for back-up, but she got stuck in and if she hadn't, he would have got away.

"I really admire her for doing what she thought she needed to. She fully deserves an award for bravery for doing so well in what must have been a very frightening situation."

Keep reading your Grimsby Telegraph for coverage of Louise's nomination.