POLICE take a lot of stick these days because people say there are not enough of them out and about on the streets.

It’s a generalised criticism that’s easy to make and much harder for top officers to shake off because it’s often based on perceptions rather than detailed studies of statistics.

But every now and then an incident happens which puts into sharp focus just how much we owe to our police service.

PC John Fisher didn’t hesitate when he saw a drunk teenage girl standing in front of an approaching train on a Burnley level crossing.

He pulled her over the barrier and away from danger when the train was 100 metres away.

She was struggling and PC Fisher broke a finger saving her life.

The former soldier with 22 years army service would only describe his actions as “just one of those things”.

But it was one of those many things which should make us all grateful to the many officers who day-in and day-out deal with the most difficult of situations with real skill and courage.