A police sergeant who jumped to the aid of a colleague who was ambushed by a knifeman has been awarded the King’s Commendation for Bravery.
Sgt Tim Ansell grappled with 27-year-old Jacob Brown after he held a blade to the neck of his colleague Sgt Marc Foster.
Brown launched his attack as the Greater Manchester Police officers and their colleague, PC Marcus Wolstencroft, were speaking to a driver after a road collision in Whalley Range in July 2023.
Brown stabbed and slashed both Sgt Ansell and Sgt Foster before PC Wolstencroft stunned him with a Taser.
Bodyworn and dashboard camera footage released by the force showed Brown, who was dressed in black with a hood up, run up to Sgt Foster from behind with a knife outstretched.
He collided with the officer who stumbled and fell to the ground, before Sgt Ansell jumped in tried to wrestle him to the ground despite being repeatedly struck with the knife.
Bodyworn and dashboard camera footage released by the force showed Brown, who was dressed in black with a hood up, run up to Sgt Foster from behind with a knife outstretched.
He collided with the officer who stumbled and fell to the ground, before Sgt Ansell jumped in tried to wrestle him to the ground despite being repeatedly struck with the knife.
PC Wolstencroft drew his Taser and waited for a clear shot, bringing the struggle to an end.
After Brown fell to the ground the constable was heard to say “officer stabbed” over his radio.
Sgt Ansell can be heard to say: “Can I get something on my neck here, I’ve been stabbed in the neck.”
Sgt Ansell suffered two open wounds to his neck and further wounds to his arms and body, while Sgt Foster suffered slash wounds.
GMP said Sgt Foster used his bare hands to stem his colleague’s bleeding before paramedics arrived.
The latest recognition comes after the three officers won GMP’s own Bravery Awards in October 2023 and the John Egerton Bravery Award from the GMP branch of the Police Federation in April 2024.
They were also awarded a North West Bravery Award in July 2024.
A statement from GMP said: “The actions of all three officers ultimately saved each other and meant no members of the public suffered any injuries.”
Brown was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in April 2024, GMP said.
