The bravery of three police community support officers (PCSOs) who were first on the scene of a stabbing at a Battersea school has earned them a recommendation for a top police accolade.

Officers Jose Rodriguez, Ricardo Berthelot and Ajfizur Rahman were on patrol in St Mary's ward last Thursday when the incident happened at Salesian College.

A 16-year-old boy - thought to be pupil Darcey Menezes - suffered stab wounds in broad daylight at the Surrey Lane school about 3.40pm.

However, had it not been for the quick-thinking actions of the PCSOs it could have been a lot worse.

Now the trio are in line for a police commendation, nominated by impressed colleagues.

Officer Rodriguez, who has been in the job just two weeks, was on his first patrol in Battersea.

He said: "I couldn't believe it, but the training really helped. We called immediately for back-up and it was there so quickly.

"I attended to the victim and tried to stop his blood loss while the other two officers chased the attackers."

PCSOs have been criticised for being ineffective in aggressive or life-threating situations, labelled "plastic police". Despite having no weapons and only wearing a stab vest officer Rodriguez said PCSOs want to get involved.

He said: "Here in Wandsworth we are allowed to get stuck in. The only weapon we have is our voice and it is up to us to judge what response we use."

Officers Bertholot, 25, has been a PCSO for two years. He said: "It was scary, we didn't expect it but the team work was fantastic. We helped the victim by applying pressure to his wounds."

Chief Inspector Tim Harding, head of safer neighbourhood teams in Wandsworth, said: "PCSOs have had a poor press but they have a different role to police officers. They do intervene at an appropriate level and do an exceptional job."

The victim is recovering at home.

A spokesman for the school, which teaches boys aged 11 to 16, said: "We are obviously very shocked and distressed that this incident has occurred.

"We will be offering all the support we can to him, his family and all our other pupils at this time."

Six teens, all aged between 14 and 17, appeared at Balham Youth Court on Tuesday charged with violent disorder.

One of the six was also charged with grievous bodily harm with intent.