Two police officers on holiday have been commended after they helped track down a missing man while in Spain. PC Lamb and PC Somers were enjoying a break in Barcelona last month when they struck up a conversation with a man known as "Little Mick" at a local bar.
At the time, they had no idea that an international hunt was taking place to locate "Little Mick", also known as Michael Hewitt, after his family had reported him missing from Leeds. It wasn't until the officers subsequently spotted social media appeals about the search that they realised who they'd been speaking with.
Officers alert Spanish authorities
They moved swiftly to alert local authorities and worked with Barcelona police, passing on details they had gathered in the hope of reuniting Mick with his family, reports Birmingham Live. It emerged that Mick was completely unaware of the search operation and had simply misplaced his mobile phone, which meant he hadn't seen any of the online coverage.
Now returned from their break and having their efforts highlighted in national media reports, the pair of officers have received praise for their conduct.
Force praises officers' actions
Birmingham Police Chief Inspector Sean Corrigan said: "The officers' actions demonstrate our values as a police force, as even on holiday they acted quickly to help a potentially vulnerable man in need.
"By quickly recognising who they'd been speaking to, and immediately informing Spanish authorities, they helped end an international search."
"While the man involved may have just been enjoying a holiday himself, we commend our officers for interrupting theirs and going above and beyond."
