A HAYES teenager has been hailed a hero for helping a police officer who was being attacked by a man she was trying to arrest.

Matthew Creeber came to the rescue of PC Fai Li, who had been repeatedly hit in the face by a man she was trying to handcuff outside The Belvedere pub, in Acton High Street.

The 17-year-old, who is studying car maintenance at Uxbridge College , stepped in after the man threw himself in front of the 607 bus on which Matthew was a passenger and began trying to rip off the windscreen wipers.

As other passengers watched the officer and the man struggle, Matthew got off the bus to help restrain him.

He said: "I saw (the man) hit her and thought enough was enough.

"It was the right thing to do, and these days, people don't really help each other out. I didn't think - I just saw him and wanted to help.

"I'm not muscular but I managed to get the man to the floor, and when more officers came, I thought they'd be able to handle it.

"I'm not a hero but my mum and friends are surprised and they couldn't believe what I had done. But I wouldn't change anything about that day."

The fracas started after PC Li had been called at lunchtime on March 15, to help a police community support officer deal with the disturbance.

PC Li, who has been with Ealing Police for four years, said: "This chap appeared and helped me detain him. I'm so grateful as it could have got a lot worse.

"He showed no regard for his own safety and assisted in physically restraining a man, allowing me to place handcuffs on him.

"He's my hero."

The officer suffered whiplash and needs physiotherapy but was back to work the next day.A man has been arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer, and is due to appear in court next month.

Laraine Smith, principal of Uxbridge College, said: "Matthew's actions were brave and selfless and I am incredibly impressed with the way he stepped in to help this police officer in a difficult situation.

"Matthew is a real credit to himself and to Uxbridge College, and I would like to commend him for the courage and maturity he has shown."