Footage shows moment two Manchester police officers stabbed in ambush
A police sergeant who rushed to the aid of a colleague who was ambushed by a knifeman has been awarded the King’s Commendation for Bravery.
Sergeant Tim Ansell struggled with 27-year-old Jacob Brown, who held a knife to the neck of his colleague Sergeant Marc Foster.
Brown launched his attack while officers from Greater Manchester Police and their colleague PC Marcus Wolstencroft were speaking to a motorist following a road accident in Whalley Range in July 2023.
Brown stabbed and slashed both Sergeant Ansell and Sergeant Foster before PC Wolstencroft stunned him with a Taser.
Body and dashboard camera footage released by police shows Brown, dressed in black and wearing a hoodie, running towards Sgt Foster from behind with a knife outstretched.
Despite being repeatedly stabbed, Sergeant Ansell collided with the officer, who stumbled and fell to the ground before trying to tackle him to the ground.
Body and dashboard camera footage released by police shows Brown, dressed in black and wearing a hoodie, running towards Sgt Foster from behind with a knife outstretched.
Despite being repeatedly stabbed, Sergeant Ansell collided with the officer, who stumbled and fell to the ground before trying to tackle him to the ground.
PC Wolstencroft drew his stun gun and ended the struggle, waiting for a clear shot.
After Brown fell to the ground, the officer was heard saying over the radio, “officer has been stabbed.”
Sergeant Ansell can be heard saying: “Can I get something in my neck, I’ve been stabbed in the neck.”
Sergeant Ansell suffered two open wounds to his neck and also wounds to his arms and body, while Sergeant Foster also suffered slash wounds.
GMP said Sergeant Foster used his bare hands to stop his colleague’s bleeding before paramedics arrived.
The latest award comes after three officers won GMP’s own Bravery Awards in October 2023 and the John Egerton Bravery Award from the Police Federation’s GMP branch in April 2024.
They were also awarded the North West Courage Award in July 2024.
A statement from GMP said: “The actions of all three police officers ultimately saved each other and meant that no members of the public were injured.”
GMP said Brown was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in April 2024.
