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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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
News
Police appeal for information regarding ‘serious assault’ around Old Trafford before United game in October
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are appealing for fresh information on a “serious assault” committed around the Old Trafford area earlier this year.
GMP issued a press release on Friday, 9 December, asking for members of the public to come forward and share any details they might have on the attack carried along Seymour Grove in Trafford around 1:30pm on 16 October 2022.
They go on to explain that “a man in his 20s was assaulted by a group of unknown males” on the way to the game at Old Trafford, adding that “it is believed that the suspects were also attending the Manchester United vs Newcastle United match.”
It remains unclear whether or not the assailants were travelling fans in town to support the away side but GMP are looking to speak to the men pictured as they may be able to help with enquiries.
Credit: GMP
As detailed in the statement, “the victim suffered a severely broken jaw, a broken nose, numerous cuts to the face, and damage to the nerves of four teeth which he is likely to need further medical treatment for.” Terrible stuff.
The authorities are continuing to investigate the Seymour Grove assault after having followed up on a number of lines of enquiry since the incident took place and are now asking for the public’s help.
Anyone with information, or anyone who may have footage/images, or can identify the men in the photos, can contact Greater Manchester Police on 101, quoting log number 1589 on 16/10/22; or, alternatively use the Live Chat service HERE.
Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image — Greater Manchester Police/David Dixon (via Geograph)
News
Football fans call out ‘tone-deaf’ FA TikTok for mocking ‘life-threatening’ head injury
Danny Jones
Football fans are calling out the official FA Cup TikTok account for mocking a serious head injury suffered by a Stockport County player earlier this week.
The Hatters beat Charlton Athletic in fine fashion with a 3-1 victory on Wednesday, 7 December, with Will Collar’s hattrick (the club’s first since 2019) sending them through to the next round of the cup.
However, another notable moment from the night was right back Macauley Southam-Hales’ collision with advertising hoarders after a shove from Charlton captain George Dobson.
As the likes of County fan Joel Ward wrote on Twitter, many online were quick to slam the clip for joking about an injury that hospitalised the player, the consensus being that it isn’t a “great look” for the FA.
Don’t think it’s a great look that the official @EmiratesFACup account is making joke tik toks about a head injury that sent our player to the hospital just a few weeks after a player nearly lost his life to a similar incident pic.twitter.com/7r9Stm8Vnr
While many reacting in the comments recognised that Dobson didn’t intend to hurt Southam-Hales by shepherding the ball out of play, the Stockport defender does hit the predominantly metal structure with some force and was left in clear discomfort following the smash.
The video itself has since been removed from the official account following the backlash but people are still reacting as the clip continues to be reshared on social media.
The clip was branded as everything from “disgusting” and “disgraceful” to “simply unbelievable”.
Considering it’s the FA cup and I’m assuming it’s an FA ran account, it should be someone pretty senior and stuff is checked thoroughly first before posting so this one’s gone under the radar I reckon.
What’s most concerning is that despite the recent push to promote awareness surrounding concussions, brain trauma and even heading the ball – which, historically, haven’t been properly monitored in football – whoever posted the video on behalf of the FA didn’t consider the very serious nature of the incident.
As alluded to above, perhaps what makes the post even more shocking and tone-deaf is that it comes just weeks after Bath City player forward Alex Fletcher was placed in intensive care following an almost identical accident.
The 23-year-old underwent life-saving brain surgery and although he has since been discharged from the hospital, he is said to have a “long road to recovery ahead of him”.
County confirmed that despite being the all-clear pitchside, Southam-Hales was taken to the hospital as a precaution after he suffered significant swelling around the neck area. Nevertheless, as we know all too well, it could have been much worse.
As for the FA, they have now apologised for the inappropriate attempt at humour, confirming that they have removed the video from all official accounts, admitting that “it should never have been published and assuring that they will “review [their] processes to ensure this never happens again.”
You can watch the full highlights from Stockport County vs Charlton Athletic HERE but we’d recommend you watch Alan Shearer reminding everyone who plays football to be more vigilant when it comes to head injuries.
Emily Sergeant -
7th June 2022 
