Three cops who chased a suspect armed with a gun have been nominated for top bravery awards. Dramatic footage showed PCs Jack Grainger, Jessica Hamblett and Richard Hayes tackling gunman Mohammed Shabaz Rafiq even though they heard the sound of shots being fired moments earlier.
The trio of cops have now been nominated for a top national bravery award following the drama in Harpurhey on March 24 last year. The plain clothes officers were in a police patrol car when PC Hamblett spotted a group of suspicious people loitering together in Ashgill Walk just off Fernclough Road at around 5.30pm.
As PC Hayes turned the vehicle around to investigate further, the officers heard a loud bang.
Moments later they saw saw a man running down the street apparently attempting to hide the contents of a black bin liner he was carrying. The cops identified themselves as police officers and a foot-chase began as the suspect ran towards a black Ford Focus which was carrying two other men.
The officers chased the suspect despite their strong suspicions he was armed with a gun. The man tried to get into the Focus but it mounted the pavement and sped away, leaving him behind.
PC Grainger, followed by PC Hayes, chased the suspect on foot supported by PC Hamblett in the police patrol car. PC Grainger chased the man, caught and then detained with help from his colleagues.
Re-tracing the route of the foot-chase, the officers found the black bin liner which had been discarded near the encounter with the Ford Focus. The bag contained converted blank-firing Retay handgun, with a cartridge still in the chamber.
Mohammed Shabaz Rafiq, 24, of Wharf Road, Sale, whose prints were found in the bag, was jailed for five years in July last year for possessing of an illegal firearm.
After the three cops were nominated for gongs at the National Police Bravery Awards to be held in London next month, their efforts were praised by the Greater Manchester branch of the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file cops.
Branch chairman Lee Broadbent said: "What a tremendous trio of colleagues. We are very proud of their work. 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.
"The officers acted fast to detain this man and prevent any harm to members of the public, at significant risk to their own wellbeing. 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."
Following the incident, Detective Constable Liam Carolan, from GMP's North Manchester's Disruption Team, said: "This is another fantastic result for the people of Greater Manchester where we've removed a firearm from the streets and found those responsible.
"The quick-thinking and bravery of the three officers at the scene could have arguably saved a life that day.
"They are a credit to GMP and the people of North Manchester and have helped to ensure we've taken another criminal involved in firearms off the streets who so desperately tried to get away.
"GMP is absolutely committed to making Greater Manchester a safer place to work and live and there is continuous work going on to tackle gun crime which is one of our priorities.
"In the space of a year, we've taken over 100 firearms off the streets of Greater Manchester and have teams of detectives striving to bring those involved in such crime to justice every day."
