A SECURITY guard who stood up to a man brandishing a knife in a busy shopping centre has been given an award for his bravery.

Lee Toeey, who lives in Basildon, had only been working at the Royals in Southend for three months, when he was alerted to a man in the centre wearing a balaclava with the weapon.

He quickly took control of the situation and started speaking to the man while his colleagues evacuated the area and called police.

As the 62-year-old man held onto his weapon, Mr Toeey, 27, kept him calm until police arrived and arrested him. The man was later placed in the care of mental health services.

Mr Toeey was given the outstanding act award in the south east round of the British Security Industry Association Awards this year.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to receive this award. I entered the security industry after a tour in the Royal Air Force and I’m glad that my experiences and skills have helped me to secure an excellent position.

“Winning this award has been the highlight of my career so far.”

Mr Toeey will now be put forward to the national judging phase of the awards. If successful on the second round, he will be invited to attend the association’s prestigious annual lunch on June 27.

His area manager, Giles Clark, said: “With members of the public walking around as the centre had just opened, Lee acted calmly and determinedly, as he believed he had a duty of care to look after the safety of the visitors and deal with the unknown situation.”