A Greater Manchester Police officer who was stabbed while protecting a colleague during a violent armed attack has been awarded the King’s Commendation for Bravery.
Sergeant Tim Ansell, of the Trafford district response team, has been recognised for his courageous actions on 26 July 2023 in Whalley Range, after responding to what began as a routine road traffic accident.
Dramatic bodycam footage from the scene captures the moment the officer, clearly in shock and gasping for breath, staggers to his feet and calls for help. He tells a colleague: “Put something on my neck here, I’ve been f***ing stabbed here.”
Unprovoked Attack from Behind
The situation escalated when a hooded man, later identified as Jacob Brown, 27, lunged at officers from behind with a knife, attacking Sgt Ansell’s colleague first.
Without hesitation, Sgt Ansell placed himself between the knifeman and his fellow officer, shielding him from further harm, Greater Manchester Police said.
During the attack, Sgt Ansell was stabbed repeatedly, sustaining open wounds to his neck and injuries to his arms and body. Despite the life-threatening assault, Sgt Ansell fought to take hold of the assailant’s upper body to prevent him from harming others.
Taser Deployment Ends Attack
PC Marcus Wolstencroft deployed a Taser to finally restrain and handcuff Brown, while Sgt Ansell and Sergeant Marc Foster helped control the situation.
GMP said the actions of all three officers ultimately saved each other and meant no members of the public suffered any injuries.
The incident, which lasted only 15 to 30 seconds, saw PS Foster immediately apply lifesaving first aid to Sgt Ansell’s neck wound, plugging the bleed with his bare hands whilst reassuring his colleague he would be okay while waiting for medical support to arrive.
Thankfully, the stab wound to Sgt Ansell’s neck narrowly missed his vital arteries. One of his neck wounds required a vein to be cauterised and stitched, along with further slash wounds to his arms and body.
Attacker’s Indefinite Hospital Order
Brown, who had been carrying a blue-handled craft knife and had no connection to the original collision, was sentenced in April 2024 to an indefinite hospital order after pleading guilty to attempted murder with three counts of wounding with intent.
The court heard there appeared to be no clear motive for the attacks, with officers taken completely by surprise. Detective Inspector Kelly of City of Manchester South’s CID, who led the investigation, said: “Jacob Brown is considered to be a dangerous and violent man, as also marked by the Judge.”
“There appeared to be no clear motive for these attacks – officers were taken completely by surprise and only their quick reactions stopped the outcome from being fatal.”
Brown’s reign of terror continued whilst in custody. On 10 August 2023, he stabbed a staff member at HMP Liverpool during an induction, causing cuts to the victim’s ear and head. On 1 September 2023, Brown attacked a prison guard and stabbed him in the neck with a sharp object.
Federation Praise for Heroism
Mike Peake, chair of Greater Manchester Police Federation, praised Sgt Ansell and his colleagues for their heroism.
He 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.”
The Federation chair added: “Sergeant Marc Foster, Sergeant Tim Ansell, and PC Marcus Wolstencroft, when carrying out their duties, should never expect to be so viciously attacked. This is sadly yet another example of the current dangers police officers encounter daily.”
“Given the nature of the attack, if it wasn’t for their quick reactions working as a team, it is a miracle they are here today.”
Multiple Awards for Bravery
The trio had already received multiple accolades for their bravery, including the Chief Constable’s Annual Bravery Awards, the John Egerton Bravery Award from GMP’s Police Federation and the North West Bravery Award.
The King’s Commendation for Bravery is the latest recognition for their courage.
At the Chief Constable’s Annual Awards in October 2023, all three officers were honoured for their immense courage in protecting each other, arresting the suspect, and preventing any harm to members of the public.
The officers spoke of how they had never been assaulted like this before in their careers, particularly in such an unexpected and serious way.
Rising Officer Assaults
Superintendent Marcus Noden of GMP’s Trafford district said the incident was sadly just one example of assaults police officers face in the line of duty.
“The number of assaults on officers is at an unprecedented level, and is wholly unacceptable,” he said.
GMP statistics revealed that 75 assaults between April 2023 and March 2024 resulted in injury, meaning 75 officers removed from their duties at the hands of others, some for months.
“Losing these officers from their duties not only means our capacity to respond to incidents is reduced, but as is our capacity to help those that really need us,” Superintendent Noden added.
“Whilst not every assault results in a physical injury, like in this particular case, the psychological impact assaults can have on officers is indescribable.”
Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, District Commander for Trafford, said: “This display of violence against officers going about their duties is heinous and unspeakable.”
“No officer should expect to be assaulted at work, particularly not in such a brutal way, and it is very fortunate that PS Ansell’s injuries were survivable in this case.”
“We absolutely will not tolerate assaults on our officers. We have in this case, and many others, taken robust action against those who have committed these offences, and that approach will continue.”
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