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Hero police officers rescued a stolen baby from a drug den while battling a dangerous dog in West Lothian.

PCs Aidan McAllister, Graeme Sewell and Kyle Whitelaw responded to reports of a drunk man wandering around late at night holding a baby in Fauldhouse in September 2023.

During the incident, officers had to fight their way past an ‘aggressive’ Alsatian dog, but eventually found the baby crying in the ‘pitch black’ house littered with knives, clubs and other weapons.

It emerged that the man had sneaked into the home of an ex-partner, taken the baby and taken it to a property popular with local drug users.

After getting the child to safety, the suspect became aggressive and two officers were injured during the struggle as other drug users looked on.

The man was charged with a series of crimes and the baby was returned to his mother.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell praised their “courage, dedication, skill and professionalism”.

The officers have been nominated for the team bravery award in a special annual award from the Scottish Police Federation.

They have been nominated alongside 29 Scottish officers, including constables, sergeants, detectives and inspectors, who have been shortlisted for their life-saving acts of bravery and dedication to their community.

PCs Kevin Grant, Chloe Hynes, William McLevy and Claire Melia from Glasgow have also been nominated after forming a human chain to rescue a drunken woman from the River Clyde.

Officers were first on the scene after a woman was seen holding onto a tree to keep her head above the water’s surface on New Year’s Day.

Police Scotland

After landing her safely, all four officers were hospitalized, with colleagues praising their “heroic actions” that had undoubtedly saved her life.

David Threadgold, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, said the nominations demonstrate the “extraordinary” courage and dedication of officers.

“The situations faced by police serving our communities can at times be extremely dangerous, and none of us should ever take what they do for granted,” he said.

“Our annual awards are a time to recognize those who go above and beyond to protect the public with dignity and determination, before going back to work to do it all again.”

He added: “We are incredibly proud of all the nominees and grateful to everyone for their amazing achievements. They are a credit to themselves and to Police Scotland.”

Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “These awards are an important night in the policing calendar when we recognize and celebrate our officers for their vital public service.

“I thank all officers and their families for all they do for the police and our communities and offer warm congratulations to the nominees and recipients.”

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