Police officer Paul Spinks nominated in Pride of Britain

PC Paul Spinks, who serves on GMP’s Trafford district has been recognised for his actions as he tackled a man wielding a machete outside a school in Salford in May 2022.

The PC, who received an Emergency Services award at the Pride of Manchester awards in May of this year, was featured on Monday’s episode of This Morning.

He was off-duty at the time and was not wearing any protective uniform or equipment, on his way to visit his mother who said she wasn’t feeling well.

On his way, he noticed a ‘disturbance’ at the side of the road, and saw a man waving a machete.

Speaking on the show’s segment, PC Spinks said: “It’s not something I would advocate, I would always say if you can get away from somebody with a knife, run and phone for help. But in this instance, members of the public’s safety was my priority.”

He added: “I could see the male trying to hide the machete down the back of his pants, and I could see him starting to grip the handle of the machete and pull it from his pants, at which point I realised I had to act.”

After on-duty police officers arrived, PC Spinks found out that the man had tried to stab family members earlier that day.

This morning’s Josie Gibson called the officer a ‘hero’, with co-host Holly Willoughby saying: “This is the problem with this award, because you literally want to give it to all of them, because how do you choose? Luckily we don’t have to.”

PC Paul Spinks at the Pride of Manchester Awards (Image: GMP)

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GMP Chief Inspector Chris Mannion said: “I was really quite taken aback by the sheer amount of courage that Paul showed in relation to this incident.”

Detective Superintendent Alicia Smith of GMP’s Trafford District, said: “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.”

PC Spinkshas been nominated alongside Bury-based colleague PC Amy Greenwood. She was nominated for her actions in December 2021, when she was dragged 100 metres down the road by an intoxicated car driver, leaving her with grazed knees, as well as emotional and mental turmoil.

Reflecting on the incident, PC Amy 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.”