The two Police Constables shared their stories of bravery on TV this week, resulting in their Pride Of Britain This Morning Emergency Services Award nominations.

PC Amy Greenwood based in Bury and PC Paul Spinks from Trafford, went above and beyond their call of duty.

PC Greenwood’s nomination is for her actions during an incident on Tuesday, December 21st, 2021. While on response, she was called to an incident in the early hours, which was initially believed to be a domestic incident.

Upon arrival things were not as they seemed when officers spotted a car. Amy calmly spoke to the driver to determine the circumstances of what had happened but it was quickly established the driver was intoxicated. 

Footage recorded at the time showed the dramatic circumstances where Amy was dragged alongside the car 100-metres down the road as she held on for her life as the intoxicated driver tried to leave the scene. 

After realising Amy was being dragged by the car, the driver stopped before being pulled out of the vehicle by Amy and her colleagues where she was arrested.

Thankfully, the terrifying ordeal didn’t result in any serious injuries, as Amy got away with grazed knees from being dragged at speed.

But the emotional and mental turmoil from the adrenaline rush was an altogether bigger battle.

Reflecting on the incident, PC Greenwood said:  “When working on response you don’t really know what type of jobs you are going to come across. At the time I was just trying to cling on for my life, so I didn’t roll under the car. 

“After what felt like a lifetime, the rest of the incident seems like a blur. Thankfully I had great colleagues who looked after me and were quick to respond once it unfolded. It all went from one extreme to another after having an initial conversation with her that seemed to be going well.

“I have no animosity towards the driver, she is a mother like myself, and I just hope she is getting the support and help she needs to turn her life around.”

District Superintendent Arif Nawaz, added: “I have immense pride and satisfaction to have someone like Amy as a part of our team.

“She embodies the true essence and spirit of what an officer needs to be at Greater Manchester Police and putting the public safety over her own safety to ensure we were able to bring someone to justice is a true testament to her character and attitude.”

The suspect who was later arrested received a three-month custodial sentence as a result of her reckless actions on that night.

PC Spinks has been recognised for his actions as he tackled a man wielding a machete outside a school in Salford during term time in May, 2022. 

Paul was off-duty at the time and was not wearing any protective uniform or equipment, he put his own life at risk to ensure that people of Manchester were safe.

Speaking of his experience, PC Spinks, said: “I did what any other police officer would do in that situation by using my training to step in. Taking one knife off the streets is one more in the right direction.”

Detective Superintendent Alicia Smith of GMP’s Trafford District, added: “Paul is a credit not only to our district, but also to Greater Manchester Police as a whole, and it is a privilege to have him serving alongside us.

“I believe his actions and quick thinking that day stopped serious harm coming to innocent members of the public and he put other’s lives ahead of his own – going above and beyond the call of duty and his brave actions should be recognised.”

Kyle Hackland was stabbed to death in broad daylight in South Manchester last year, as all four teenagers have now been named.

Kyle, who was 17 at the time, was stabbed to death in a violent attack at around midday, in Withington, back in November 2022.

Today, four teenagers have been sentenced for over 70 years between them, with three found guilty of murder and one found guilty of manslaughter.

Tafari Kosey-Smith and Alfie Benson can now be named after they were both jailed following the six-week trial.

Yousef Sesay was sentenced to 22 years, Lewis Ludford for 21 years (with two years concurrent for a bladed article) and Kosey-Smith for 19 years (with two years concurrent for a bladed article), after all were found guilty of murder.

Whilst Benson was jailed for 12 years (with two years concurrent for burglary offences) after being found guilty of manslaughter, at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court today, on Tuesday October 3rd.

Those sentenced drove around the area in a stolen Volkswagen Golf looking to seek revenge when they came across a Mercedes vehicle which they wrongly believed was connected to Kyle’s friend.

The group attacked the vehicle with weapons by smashing the windscreen before continuing their hunt when within minutes they came across Kyle and his friend walking along Southlea Road.

His friend subsequently ran from the scene leaving Kyle alone with the entire incident being captured on CCTV.

One of those carrying out the chilling attack could be heard shouting loudly ‘chef him’ on four occasions, immediately before Kyle was brutally attacked with knives.

The violent assault on Kyle continued by three of the four before returning to the waiting car which was driven away at speed by the other member of the group, leaving Kyle to collapse on a driveway where members of the public tried to save his life before emergency services responded to the scene.

Despite everyone’s best attempts, Kyle sadly died a short time later at hospital as a direct result of the catastrophic injuries inflicted on him.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector David Moores said: “This is another heart-breaking example of how carrying a knife can have devastating consequences in a matter of seconds.

“Our thoughts as a force are once again with Kyle’s loved ones who will have to continue to live with the pain, but hopefully this can be eased in some way with the conviction of his killers.

“Officers in our Major Incident Team have worked tirelessly to bring justice, and, in our role, we are reminding any young person willing to carry a knife to put it down and think twice before doing so. It is not worth it and can ultimately cost yours and other people’s lives.”

Paying tribute to him around the time of the incident, Kyle’s family added: “We are devastated by the death of our beloved Kyle.

“He was such a kind and well-mannered young boy who always looked out for his family – never failing to say ‘love you’ as he walked out the door.

“There are no words that can even begin to describe the pain we feel. We have always been such a close family, and this has shattered us all.

“He will forever be missed as a beautiful son as well as a caring and helpful big brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend. Life will never be the same without him, we are completely broken.”

If you know or suspect someone is carrying a knife, please report it immediately. Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via gmp.police.uk or 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

According to a new study, people living in Manchester are spending more of their salary than Londoners on their monthly bills.

The study, conducted by Money Supermarket, calculated how much the average person in the UK spends on their household bills each day.

The data collected revealed residents in Manchester are typically spending nearly 80% of their income after tax on things like food, rent, bills and travel costs – found to be higher than anywhere else in the UK.

The results showed that those living in London were spending 66% of their income in comparison.

London is often labelled as the most expensive city to live in the UK but the study showed that Mancunians are actually using up a higher percentage of their income to live.

The research, which involved polling 2,000 people as well as taking information from Money Supermarket’s database, showed those living in Manchester spent £1,784.90 a month or £59.50 a day – which works out as £11 more than the average for the rest of the UK.

It also revealed that the northern city spends more on energy, phone contracts, car insurance and pet insurance than the rest of the country. 

And Manchester is among the cities who pay the highest for broadband bills and school costs – including clothes and childcare.

It seems its residents also have the highest costs on things like toiletries, gym memberships, gaming and news subscriptions.

Londoners earn the highest average income of £30,302 with an average daily spend of around £55.72 on everyday essentials. Their higher income means people in London spend less on average on bills.

Meanwhile, Mancunians earn around £28,158 but spend around 76% of their wage, leaving them with the lowest rate of disposable income.

According to the research, people living in Manchester spend more on the following than anywhere else in the UK:

• Energy (£161.30 v £133.30 avg)
• Phone contracts (£74.10 v £42.50 avg)
• Car insurance (£49.20 v £39.10 avg)
• Pet insurance (£25.20 v £14.40 avg)
• Broadband (£69.20 v £54.50 avg) 
• School costs (including clothes and childcare) (£86.90 v £63.70 avg)