TWO Ipswich police officers have been nominated for a national award after risking their lives in a dramatic rooftop rescue to save a suicidal man.

TWO Ipswich police officers have been nominated for a national award after risking their lives in a dramatic rooftop rescue to save a suicidal man.

Sergeant Ali Livingstone and Pc Ali Maidment clung to the distressed man as he dangled around 50ft in the air from the Willis car park in Franciscan Way.

The man, who weighed 13 to 14 stone, was hauled to safety by the officers after they grabbed his arms when he tried to jump.

Because of their actions Sgt Livingstone and Pc Maidment have now been put forward as Suffolk's representatives for this year's Police Federation Bravery Awards.

The ceremony will take place at The Dorchester hotel in London on July 15.

Superintendent Alan Caton paid tribute to his officers' bravery and spoke of his pride at their nomination.

He said: “The work they did that day was outstanding and without doubt saved a man's life. I'm immensely proud of what they did.

“They clearly deserve to be put forward for this national award.”

Supt Caton said Sgt Livingstone and Pc Maidment could also be in line for an award from the Royal Humane Society for their efforts.

The pair had previously been honoured at the Stars of Suffolk Awards, staged by The Evening Star in association with Suffolk County Council.

The officers jointly won the Police Person of the Year award at the ceremony in February.

At the time Sgt Livingstone recalled how he desperately held on to the suicidal man after losing sight of him over the parapet while trying to talk him down.

The 26-year-old said: “I ran towards him and took hold of his left wrist under the safety barrier. Ali ran along the roof and grabbed his right arm. He started resisting strongly. Both of us were holding on with all our might.

“I said 'Ali we've just got to hold on for as long as we can'. We had to try everything we could because if he had fallen how would we have lived with ourselves?”

Pc Maidment, also 26, lost his grip temporarily, but activated Sgt Livingstone's radio so he could call down to officers on the ground for help.

Sgt Livingstone said: “One of my officers said that was probably the most blood-chilling ten seconds of radio he had ever heard.”

Eventually help arrived and, although the man was still struggling to break free, he was hauled to safety.

Sgt Livingstone said: “It was probably the most emotional thing I have ever seen. There were people crying, people trying to be sick - it was just complete relief.

“There were a lot of people involved that day. It was a real team effort.”