Moment GMP officer repeatedly stabbed as he saved colleagues from knifeman

Sergeant Tim Ansell was stabbed as he stood in between a knifeman and fellow officer in Whalley Range

A Greater Manchester Police officer bravely risked his life to tackle a knifeman who launched at colleagues in the street following a traffic stop. Sergeant Tim Ansell was stabbed when he protected his colleague during the armed attack in Whalley Range in 2023.

Ansell, of the Trafford district response team, was recognised for his courageous actions on July 26, 2023 after responding to what began as a routine road traffic accident. The situation had escalated when a hooded man, identified as Jacob Brown, 27, lunged at officers from behind with a knife, attacking Ansell’s colleague, Sergeant Foster, first.

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Dramatic bodycam footage from the scene captured the moment the officer staggers to his feet and calls for help. He is heard telling a colleague: “Put something on my neck here, I’ve been f***ing stabbed here.”

Sgt Ansell then placed himself between the knifeman and his fellow officer, shielding from further harm. Sgt Ansell was stabbed repeatedly, sustaining open wounds to his neck and injuries to his arm and body.

Sgt Ansell then fought to take hold of the assailant’s upper body to prevent him from harming others. Colleague PC Marcus Wolstencroft deployed a Taser to restrain and handcuff Brown, who was then arrested and taken into custody.

All three police officers involved later 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.

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It was then announced that Sgt Ansell was to be awarded the King’s Commendation for Bravery. Greater Manchester Police said he received the King’s Commendation at St. James’ Palace in London on Wednesday (March 25).

“The actions of all three officers ultimately saved each other and meant no members of the public suffered any injuries,” the force said.

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.