A retired police officer who received a prestigious bravery award after acting as a decoy to snare a prolific sex attacker has died.

Ethel Bush, 100, joined the force as a constable in September 1946 and was promoted to Sergeant in 1953.

In March 1955 she volunteered to be a decoy to catch a 29-year-old labourer who had attacked several Croydon women and seriously wounded her colleague Kathleen Parrot.

While acting as a decoy the attacker hit PC Bush over the head from behind, leaving her with a wound that needed 11 stitches.

Despite her injury she fought back, grabbing the assailant’s coat, but she fell and he got away.

However he was later arrested and PC Parrott and PC Bush were able to identify him.

Later that year PC Bush became one of the first two women to receive the George Medal for bravery.

She also received a Commissioner’s High Commendation and £15 from the Bow Street Police Fund.

Commenting on her actions, a judge said: “I cannot imagine higher courage than that you showed along that footpath.”

A chief magistrate also said: “If anyone can imagine a finer story in the history of the Metropolitan Police, I shall be pleased to hear it.”

PC Bush was born on March 10, 1916 and was one of five children.

She celebrated her 100th birthday at her care home in West Sussex in March with a visit from the Met’s Assistant Commissioner Helen King and one of the Met’s youngest police officers, PC Katie Dennell.

Assistant Commissioner Helen King said: “It was a privilege to meet Ethel and thank her. As a woman officer just after the war who showed such courage, she helped pave the way for women of my generation to have hugely satisfying and successful careers in policing.”

PC Katie Dennell said: “Having read about Ethel in the Crime Museum, it was amazing to meet her so soon after starting my career as an officer.

“I hope I can bring the same determination and bravery she did into my work in keeping the public safe”

Before joining the force PC Bush worked as a seamstress before serving in Women’s Auxiliary Air Force during the Second World War, when she was stationed in India.