GMP sergeant awarded King’s Commendation for Bravery

Based on the Trafford district response team at the time of the attack, Sergeant Tim Ansell was commended for his courage following a road traffic collision on July 26, 2023, when, without warning, his colleague was violently attacked from behind struck to the head several times by a man wielding a knife.

Sgt Ansell did not hesitate to intervene and placed himself between the attacker, 27-year-old local man Jacob Brown, and his colleague, shielding him from further harm.

This triggered the attacker to turn his aggression towards Sgt Ansell, stabbing him repeatedly, causing two open wounds to his neck and further wounds to his arms and body.

Despite the life-threatening danger he was in, Sgt Ansell resisted throughout the attack, taking hold of the assailant’s upper body to prevent him from attacking others.

He ensured he maintained the assailant’s attention, even after he had fallen to the ground as a result of the attack.

This allowed other officers an opportunity to move in and deploy a Taser on the man.

After a second Taser attempt successfully subdued the assailant, officers were able to effectively restrain and handcuff him.

Mike Peake, chair of Greater Manchester Police Federation, said: “This is brilliant news, and Tim richly deserves this honour.

“He and his colleagues showed real heroism in acting quickly to apprehend a dangerous suspect and protect the public, even as the assailant was stabbing them.

“Tim risked his life to save his colleague and we are all hugely proud of him and his actions.”

Brown was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in April 2024.

Sgt Ansell and his team were regional winners at the National Police Bravery Awards last year.

Three West Yorkshire Police officers have also received the King’s Commendation for Bravery.

PC Rhona Adams was recognised for her efforts in saving the life of a vulnerable woman, who had set herself on fire in the toilets of a Bradford restaurant, while PCs Mark Sutton and Thomas Dransfield were honoured for their efforts in saving the life of a man who was found hanging from a bridge over a canal in Leeds.

PC Adams displayed exceptional bravery when responding to a report of a high-risk missing person on June 10, 2024, as a single-crewed unit. At the scene, a busy family restaurant in Bradford, she quickly searched the premises until she located the female, who had now reportedly poured oil on herself and was threatening suicide, in the disabled toilets. Upon entering the toilets she was met with a horrifying scene; the missing woman had indeed set herself alight and was now in a highly distressed and hysterical state. PC Adams, acting bravely and without hesitation, held the female as she attempted to smother the flames. She directed restaurant staff to retrieve a fire extinguisher, which she subsequently used to successfully extinguish the flames.

PC Adams proceeded to administer first aid to the individual, while working to calm her down as they awaited ambulance service. Thanks to PC Adams’ quick response, the woman left the incident with only first and second degree burns.

On November 22, 2023, PCs Sutton and Dransfield responded to a call regarding a male reportedly hanging from a rope by his neck beneath a bridge over a canal. At the scene, the male could only partially be seen from the bridge, as he was seemingly suspended by a rope, positioned between two pipes running parallel to the bridge and above the water.

Without safety equipment, PC Sutton, swiftly and without assistance, climbed over the bridge railings to try to reach the man, who was clinging onto the pipes. PC Dransfield quickly followed to assist him, and together they managed to support the male’s weight and prevent him from falling until fire crews arrived with additional safety ropes to secure him.

Both officers found this task significantly challenging as the male had become limp and unresponsive, and they were also at high risk of falling into the water below. After a prolonged and physically demanding effort, all men were finally equipped with the necessary safety apparatus, and were pulled to safety.

The brave and determined actions of PC Sutton and PC Dransfield, undertaken despite significant personal risk, were instrumental in saving the man’s life.

Chief Constable John Robins QPM DL, said: “Rhona, Mark and Thomas thoroughly deserve to be honoured for the incredible bravery they displayed in saving the lives of people who found themselves in desperate need of help, and I am really proud to have them serving the communities of West Yorkshire.”

A Special Constable has received the King’s Commendation for Bravery after rescuing a woman from the River Thames in 2023.

On the evening of Saturday June 17, 2023, Special Constable Gregory Beaumont and his partner were walking along the South Bank of the River Thames when they observed what appeared to be a professional film crew capturing a woman in the water. Concerned by the river’s strong tidal currents and hearing the woman gurgle water, SC Beaumont approached the crew, who confirmed they had no connection to her despite filming the woman in their shots.

Recognising imminent danger as the current dragged her under in fading light, Special Constable Beaumont launched and led a rescue operation. While his partner called emergency services and secured the woman’s belongings, Special Constable Beaumont assessed an immediate threat to life and drew on his police and military training: he secured flotation aids, coordinated and led members of the public, and then entered the cold, fast-moving tidal water to swim out and reach the woman.

Special Constable Beaumont successfully managed to pull her to safety, provided his warm clothing to her, and administered first aid until the London Ambulance Service arrived. His brave and swift actions directly helped save a woman’s life.