A POLICEMAN who rescued a Bolton car thief from a blazing vehicle moments before it exploded has been named Lancashire's bravest bobby.

Pc Mohammed Abid Khan, 25, who pulled the teenager from the burning car, will receive the William Garnett Cup, Lancashire police's highest bravery award, later this month.

Bury-born Pc Khan, who works from Rawtenstall police station in Rossendale, was on patrol in Haslingden town centre in November when he saw a car going the wrong way down a one way street.

As the car sped away, the 17-year-old driver from Farnworth lost control, mounted a pavement and smashed into a bus shelter.

The car then burst into flames. The driver began screaming for help and Pc Khan saw he was seriously injured and trapped in the wreckage.

In spite of fire lapping the front seats, he reached in and dragged the teenager to safety. Moments later the car exploded.

The driver suffered a punctured lung, three broken ribs, facial cuts and bruising. He was later sentenced to a young offenders' institute for six months.

Pauline Clare, Lancashire's Chief Constable, said: "Had it not been for the brave actions of Pc Khan, the offender would surely have died.

"The officer acted in the highest tradition of the Lancashire Constabulary."

The cup will be presented by the police authority chairman, Dr Ruth Henig, at County Hall on June 26.

Pc Khan, a former youth worker for Lancashire County Council, was still a probationer at the time of the incident.

The William Garnett Cup is awarded annually to the officer performing the most gallant deed of the year.

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