Three police officers who chased and detained a man carrying a gun in Manchester have been nominated for a bravery award.
PC Jack Ginger, PC Jessica Hamblett, and PC Richard Hayes from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have been nominated for The National Police Bravery Awards after they put themselves at what was said to be “a significant risk to their own wellbeing” while chasing and eventually apprehending a gunman in Harpurhey back in March 2021.
The trio were in plain clothes on mobile patrol in a plain vehicle when PC Hamblett noticed a number of individuals “loitering together”.
According to GMP, due to the suspicious behaviour of this group, PC Hayes turned the vehicle around, and as they did so, the officers heard a loud bang – which they believed to be a firearm discharging – and a few seconds later, they saw a man running down the street carrying a black bin liner and seemingly trying to conceal its contents.
Due to the way he was acting and the loud bang, the trio then identified themselves as police officers and the man ran off towards a black Ford Focus – which was parked up with two other men inside.
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PCs Ginger, Hamblett, and Hayes immediately chased the man, and he tried to get into the Ford Focus, but it eventually made off and left the man with the gun behind.
PC Jack Ginger, PC Jessica Hamblett, and PC Richard Hayes have been nominated for The National Police Bravery Award / Credit: Greater Manchester Police
The man then ran off and was pursued on foot by PC Ginger, followed by PC Hayes, and supported by PC Hamblett in the police vehicle, and after a pursuit through a number of back streets, PC Ginger managed to detain the man with the assistance of his colleagues, while PC Hayes conducted a search along the route of the pursuit to find the black bin bag discarded near where the offender had tried to get into the car.
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The bin bag did in fact contain a converted blank-firing Retay handgun, with the cartridge still in the chamber – which is a prohibited firearm.
“What a tremendous trio of colleagues,” said Greater Manchester Police Federation Chair Lee Broadbent.
“The actions of Jack, Jessica and Richard in pursuing a male who was armed with a firearm, which they believed had just been discharged, was exceptionally brave.
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“The officers acted fast to detain this man and prevent any harm to members of the public, at significant risk to their own wellbeing [and] not only was the suspect apprehended, but their excellent commentary during the pursuit directed other officers to support, and the subsequent scene management ensured the recovery of the weapon and other important evidence.
“The actions of these officers has brought a very high-risk individual into custody, which will have had a significant impact on protecting and reassuring the local community.”
The offender was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and as his fingerprints were found on the bag which the gun was found inside of, he was remanded into custody.
The offender was jailed for five years in July 2021.
Featured Image – Greater Manchester Police
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Hawksmoor issues statement after ‘kicking out’ Tommy Robinson from one of its restaurants
Daisy Jackson
Hawksmoor has issued a statement after a viral video captured far-right activist Tommy Robinson being asked to leave one of its restaurants.
In the video, staff at the acclaimed British steak house told Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – that he would have to go because members of staff feel uncomfortable serving you’.
The supervisor then politely told the party not to worry about the drinks and that they had been paid for, also handing over a business card for Hawksmoor CEO Will Beckett in case they wanted to discuss the matter further.
Robinson was dining in one of the group’s London restaurants with former prominent EDL member Guramit Singh Kalirai who challenged the staff and asked: “Is it because of the colour of my skin?”
The supervisor responded: “No, no, no. We have a duty of care to our members of staff. We like to look after our people, as I’m sure you can understand.”
After the video went viral on X, Hawksmoor went on to share a statement in response, saying that guests and staff ‘felt uncomfortable and complained’.
The statement, signed by CEO Will Beckett, added that the Hawksmoor team has faced ‘a huge amount’ of ‘quite concerning’ fallout from the Tommy Robinson incident.
He added that ‘this was not about politics or beliefs’.
Hawksmoor’s statement reads: “Our focus is always to give the best restaurant experience to the most people possible.
“On Thursday, a public figure was asked to leave one of our restaurants because guests and staff felt uncomfortable and had complained. The party left peacefully and politely on request.
“This was not about politics or beliefs. Hawksmoor is not a political organisation; we’re a group of restaurants. We want to welcome as many people as possible, regardless of background or views, to our teams or as our guests.
“We’re not trying to engage in a public debate. The team has had to deal with a huge amount of fallout from this, some of which is quite concerning. We would like to get back to focussing on looking after those people, and our guests. Thank you to them, and the many of you who have been so supportive.”
Police release footage of missing Manchester man Adeo Alston-Ekpei’s last-known movements
Emily Sergeant
Video footage showing the last-known movements of a Manchester man who’s been missing for three weeks now has been released.
Detectives at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are continuing to search for Adeo Alston-Ekpei, who has not been seen since Friday 16 May.
The 25-year-old was seen in Fletcher Moss Park in Didsbury at around 3pm, before later being seen walking down Kingsway away from Manchester and close to the River Mersey, at around 5.20pm that same day.
Multiple lines of enquiry being explored by police at present, but anyone who believes they may have seen him from around this time, is asked to get in touch.
Adeo is described as being a mixed-race male, with long curly black hair and a long singular dreadlock, and bleached eyebrows. He has a cupid’s bow piercing and a right eyebrow piercing. He also has an ‘AKA’ tattoo on his right wrist, and a ‘24’ tattoo in the right side of his chest.
He was last seen wearing long blue denim shorts, an undone green short-sleeved button-up shirt, and white Adidas trainers.
Friends have also recently set up a public fundraiser to help with the search for Adeo.
Adeo Alston-Ekpei has been missing for almost three weeks / Credit: GMP
“We are dedicated to finding Adeo and getting much-needed answers for his family,” commented Detective Inspector Kelly, from GMP’s Manchester district, as the footage was released to the public this week.
“I would ask any residents around the Kingsway area, and surrounding housing estates off Kingsway into Gately, and who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from around this time, to please check and get in touch if you have any information.
“Likewise, if anyone believes they have seen Adeo, please get in touch with one of our officers. Any information is appreciated and investigated as we continue our work.”
#MISSING | We are continuing to ask for information relating to missing Adeo, who was last seen on May 16.
We have additionally released CCTV footage showing Adeo’s last known movements on Kingsway, Manchester.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) June 5, 2025
A spokesperson for Adeo’s family described the missing man as ‘kind, funny, and intelligent’ with a ‘huge heart’, but they say he ‘wasn’t himself when he disappeared’.
“He may have come across as agitated, lost, or confused,” the spokesperson admitted. “In his last call to his mum, he was in a very vulnerable state.”
Anyone with any information regarding Adeo’s whereabouts is urged to contact South Manchester CID directly on 0161 856 6051 or 0161 856 6063, or you can use the LiveChat function on GMP’s website and quote log number 838 of 18/05/25.
Alternatively, you can report information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
7th June 2022 
