Off-duty Glasgow police officer saved woman from attack after hearing scream from her car

An off-duty officer risked her own safety to save a woman who was being attacked in her car.

PC Evie Coultas was waiting in traffic on a busy road in Glasgow when she heard a scream come from the car in front of her.

The constable was waiting for the vehicle to start moving after lights turned green at a busy junction but instead saw an “intoxicated” man get into the car from the passenger side.

After hearing the scream, PC Coultas leapt into action to stop the attacker without any protective equipment or police radio.

PC Coultas, a campus officer at Knightswood Secondary, was able to remove the man from the vehicle and members of the public helped keep him detained until police arrived at the scene.

The Drumchapel Police Office constable is nominated for the Individual Bravery Award alongside Paul Phillips and Christopher Martin at the upcoming Scottish Police Federation awards.

They are among a total of 20 officers, including constables, campus cops, detectives and probationers, have been shortlisted for the special awards.

David Threadgold, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, who will present the awards said: “Our annual awards are designed to recognise and celebrate the individual and team acts of bravery and dedication to our communities that we see day in, day out in policing.

“We are incredibly proud of all our nominees, and while there can only be one winner in each category, we are grateful to each of them for their amazing achievements.

“Police officers continue to face unprecedented challenges, but these awards are an opportunity to pause and reflect on the fantastic work that they do.

“These stories reflect what being a police officer is all about and we wish everyone who has been nominated the very best of luck on the night.”

Chief constable Jo Farrell said: “Policing brings huge value to our communities: keeping people safe from harm, protecting the vulnerable, bringing criminals to justice, solving problems and reducing offending.

“These awards shine a light on how officers stand up for and with our communities and I am extremely grateful to the Scottish Police Federation.

“I commend and thank all police officers and their families for their commitment to public service and offer my warmest congratulations to award nominees and recipients.”