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Police officers given bravery award for arresting knifeman holding medical staff hostage in Stockport
The man was armed with a metal bar, a meat cleaver and several kitchen knives
Two police officers have been given outstanding bravery awards for arresting a knife and cleaver wielding man holding medical staff hostage.
On March 12th 2021, officers were called out to reports of an aggressive man threatening to stab staff at Woodley Health Centre in Stockport.
When they arrived, they found the man – now identified as Michael Brannigan – brandishing a metal bar, meat cleaver and several kitchen knives. He had also thrown a chair out of a window.
Once staff members had barricaded themselves into their offices, Michael declared he was taking one member of staff hostage and allowed all the others in the surgery to leave, saying: “If I see you again, I’m coming for you”.
GMP’s PC Simon Toft and PC Alicia Snowden were the first officers on the scene and went on to taser and arrest Michael, even as he attempted to throw the metal bar at PC Toft.
A few months later, Michael was subsequently sentenced to three years in jail for four counts of possession of an offensive weapon, robbery, criminal damage, assault by beating and affray.
And now, both PC Toft and PC Snowden have been awarded the John Egerton Trophy for outstanding bravery from Chief Constable Stephen Watson QPM for their actions that day.
GMP Federation
The GMP Federation shared an image of the pair collecting their awards on Twitter, writing: Congratulations to @GMPolice‘s PC Simon Toft & PC Alicia Snowden named winners tonight of the North West Regional #PoliceBravery Awards 2021.
“They arrested a dangerous man wielding a meat cleaver while threatening to hold medical centre staff hostage. #Incredible stuff.”
GMP added on Twitter: “Fantastic news from last night’s #PoliceBravery awards in London as @GMPStockport‘s PC Simon Toft and PC Alicia Snowden scooped the top prize for the North West! We are very proud of you both.”