0:00:02 > 0:00:05As an ex-copper, I know about the dangers of life on the front line.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07No-one wants to be a hero, but when a hardened criminal
0:00:07 > 0:00:12brings violence to the streets, it's Britain's cops who have to step in to protect the public.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15This week, the courage and dedication
0:00:15 > 0:00:19of ordinary officers is celebrated at the Police Bravery Awards.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22Today, we'll hear their stories and join them out on patrol
0:00:22 > 0:00:25as they continue to crack down on crime.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Welcome to Britain's Bravest Cops.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Every year, the Police Federation Bravery Awards are a chance
0:00:44 > 0:00:48to honour the men and women who go above and beyond the call of duty.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Today, we'll meet the officers who risk their lives to protect
0:00:51 > 0:00:55the public and deal with the most dangerous situations on our streets.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59Coming up - we retell the story of two unarmed officers who got more
0:00:59 > 0:01:03than they bargained for when they attended a call-out to a domestic argument.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06We heard a male shouting,
0:01:06 > 0:01:10"If you come up here, I'm going to kill the first police officer I see."
0:01:10 > 0:01:15We're out with Suffolk police as they wage war on sex traffickers.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Police! Police!
0:01:20 > 0:01:23And we join Manchester's expert team of proactive police officers
0:01:23 > 0:01:26in their daily battle against drug crime.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Found near the toes,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32I've come across a further three bags of cannabis.
0:01:32 > 0:01:38Terrifying as it is, most police are professionally trained to deal with lethal weapons like guns and knives,
0:01:38 > 0:01:42but sometimes there's no training scheme in the world that can prepare them for the bizarre things
0:01:42 > 0:01:44that criminals choose to attack them with.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48Early morning in June, 2006, and it was promising to be another hot
0:01:48 > 0:01:53and sunny day at a sleepy caravan park on the Essex east coast.
0:01:53 > 0:01:59But all hell was about to break loose when a 999 call came in.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12PC Martyn Leggett and newly qualified PC Lea Keane
0:02:12 > 0:02:15were immediately scrambled to sort out the stand-off.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Fellow PCs Wendy Brown and Nicola Clarke were already on site.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22But nothing could prepare them for the scene that greeted them -
0:02:22 > 0:02:26an angry man on the rampage with a powerful digger.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31I arrived with Lee, pulled up and there in front of us is the digger.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35The digger was a huge digger.
0:02:37 > 0:02:43It wasn't something that you'd use to remove gravel. It was a building site, industrial digger.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45Inside the cab was Robert Taylor.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48He owed a large sum of money to the caravan park owners,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51who were sending him letters demanding payment.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Now he was taking the matter into his own hands.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59It was only when I'd said, "Come on, mate, switch the engine off, jump down, let's have a chat."
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Hey, do you want to come down?
0:03:02 > 0:03:07That he said no. He swung the bucket of the digger round...
0:03:07 > 0:03:08Stop the machine!
0:03:08 > 0:03:12Came straight at our vehicle
0:03:12 > 0:03:15and just tore the car in half.
0:03:17 > 0:03:24And that was when I knew, OK, this man means business and we were all in trouble here.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28Having crushed the police car, the man then turned the 14-tonne digger
0:03:28 > 0:03:33on two Chrysler cars belonging to the caravan park owners.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37He then smashed up...
0:03:37 > 0:03:39a Chrysler on the drive...
0:03:43 > 0:03:45..swung it round
0:03:45 > 0:03:48onto the other Chrysler, destroyed that.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56And I just thought, "I'm going to witness a murder here."
0:03:56 > 0:03:58Martyn knew the man had to be stopped,
0:03:58 > 0:04:02but to get to the cab meant dodging the wildly swinging digger arm.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06One false move and it would smash into his head.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10I saw the door was open on the digger.
0:04:10 > 0:04:11He was looking at the house.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15He appeared focused on the property and I thought there's an opportunity
0:04:15 > 0:04:18here to perhaps bring this to an end if I can get those keys.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23As the man was distracted for a moment, Martyn seized his chance.
0:04:23 > 0:04:30So I ran up to the digger, climbed onto the tracks of it, climbed into the cabin,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33at which point he began
0:04:33 > 0:04:36punching me numerous times about the head, face and body.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46I had one hand up in the air, trying to sort of stop him from hitting me,
0:04:46 > 0:04:51but at the same time I was using my other hand to look around for the keys to the digger.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54And I just remember thinking that I know Martyn needed help
0:04:54 > 0:04:59and I remember sort of screaming to him, "Just spray him,"
0:04:59 > 0:05:02because that's the only option we had, either that or our batons.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Just spray him!
0:05:05 > 0:05:07I withdrew my CS gas and sprayed him in the face.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11However, he was wearing spectacles so it didn't have an instant effect on him at all.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13- Give us the keys!- Get off!
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Give us the keys!
0:05:16 > 0:05:17I couldn't find the keys.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19I didn't know where to look.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24And I just remember hearing, "Martyn, quick, get down from there."
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Martyn, get back!
0:05:26 > 0:05:28At which point I panicked.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31The man was swinging the digger arm directly at Martyn,
0:05:31 > 0:05:34who was in danger of being knocked from the cab.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37I just jumped down,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41spun on my heels and just ran.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44The bucket missed Martyn's head by inches.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46A second later and he might have been killed.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49It was almost like a scene from a film.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52The arm of the digger was swung round and it sort of narrowly
0:05:52 > 0:05:58missed Martyn as he ran away, almost in a ducking motion.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03He had his digger facing us now
0:06:03 > 0:06:10with the arm of the digger up, and I just remember his almost empty eyes.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14He was looking at us as if to say, "Don't come any closer."
0:06:14 > 0:06:16There was nothing the police officers could do.
0:06:16 > 0:06:23They looked on helplessly as the driver turned the digger on the caravan park owner's home.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32'This male is completely demolishing a house.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34'We're not aware of how many people are in the house.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37'We tried to get an officer in to try and stop him.'
0:06:37 > 0:06:39He turned half of it into rubble in about a minute.
0:06:39 > 0:06:45The timber-framed house was in pieces, but the digger driver refused to give himself up.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Two firearms officers eventually arrested the man.
0:06:57 > 0:07:02Digger driver Robert Taylor's rampage cost £500,000 in damages.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05He was handed a six-year sentence for destroying the house
0:07:05 > 0:07:10and three cars, as well as assaulting a police officer and endangering lives.
0:07:10 > 0:07:16But no-one can forget how close he actually came to killing Martyn.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18I would say that Martyn was extremely brave.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23He took it upon himself to try to stop the man doing what he was doing.
0:07:23 > 0:07:28I would have felt delighted if I could have got him out of the digger
0:07:28 > 0:07:34and I could have switched the engine off, but I didn't, so I don't feel brave.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36I feel lucky...
0:07:36 > 0:07:40that he didn't kill anyone.
0:07:42 > 0:07:43And so should he.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48It was a narrow escape for PC Martyn Leggett,
0:07:48 > 0:07:50and as well as an apology from the offender,
0:07:50 > 0:07:54he and his colleagues all received a Chief Constable's Commendation
0:07:54 > 0:07:56for their bravery and they all learnt
0:07:56 > 0:08:01that almost anything can be used as a weapon if it's in the wrong hands.
0:08:08 > 0:08:14Up and down the country, Britain's bravest cops are waging war on some of the most serious crimes.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19In Suffolk, PC Janet Humphries is part of a major operation
0:08:19 > 0:08:22cracking down on the sex trafficking of vulnerable women.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30In 2006, the town of Ipswich hit the headlines when five local women were murdered.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33All were involved in the sex trade.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37Three days now since the police tape went up around the area at Levington,
0:08:37 > 0:08:39where two more victims were found.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41We are treating this as murder
0:08:41 > 0:08:46and are linking it to the other four recent murders in Suffolk.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50The horrific murders threw a spotlight on the seedy criminal underworld
0:08:50 > 0:08:53hidden behind Suffolk's suburban streets.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58Since then, Janet and her colleagues have been running covert
0:08:58 > 0:09:03surveillance operations to root out organised sex crime in the town.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07It's a money-making business for those at the top of the triangle.
0:09:07 > 0:09:12To those people in those organised crime groups, those women are commodities.
0:09:12 > 0:09:19Some estimate that over 80,000 people are involved in the sex trade in Britain, earning £770 million.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22And it's not just in the big cities.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27In the last few years, Chinese gangs have targeted Britain's sex industry,
0:09:27 > 0:09:30and now operate brothels in towns and cities across the land.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37It's everywhere and it's in all parts of this country and everybody has to be aware
0:09:37 > 0:09:41of that and aware that there's a lot of people out there being exploited.
0:09:41 > 0:09:48A few days ago, a local newspaper warned the police about a suspicious advert for a massage parlour.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53Now Janet thinks the premises may have links to the sex trade and is planning a major raid.
0:09:53 > 0:09:59What we're going to do now is call the premises that we're visiting to make sure that they're
0:09:59 > 0:10:06working, that they're open and what's really available tomorrow so that we can go in tomorrow.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10PC John Alcock poses as a punter and calls the number in the ad.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13PHONE RINGS
0:10:13 > 0:10:18Hello there. Yeah, I saw your advert in the paper, in the Evening Star,
0:10:18 > 0:10:23and I wondered if it was possible for me to visit the premises.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Lovely, thanks ever so much.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28I'll see you soon. Bye.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31I've asked how many females there were there, what was available.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36She said that there's one female working there at the moment, who's 21 years old and is pretty.
0:10:36 > 0:10:37- It went well.- Excellent.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40So we'll be ready to go for it tomorrow.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Oh, yeah, absolutely.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47So far, the police know there's at least one woman working
0:10:47 > 0:10:51at the address, but they have no idea who else might be there.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54The sex trade is often linked to highly dangerous criminal gangs.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58Ahead of the raid, Janet sets out to secretly recce
0:10:58 > 0:11:02the location with colleague Gemma Fisher to spot any potential trouble.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07What we're going to do now is just go and look at the premises
0:11:07 > 0:11:09just to really discover where it is,
0:11:09 > 0:11:14the dynamics of it, so that we can make the right decision on where to place our vehicles
0:11:14 > 0:11:20and where to make the entry in order to cause the least damage and the least concern to those people.
0:11:22 > 0:11:23You do feel a little bit nervous.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26I think you need to have a little bit of adrenaline
0:11:26 > 0:11:30coursing through your body when you're going to these. You need to be on alert.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33I always feel nervous, but then at the end of the day
0:11:33 > 0:11:36as well, I know that what we're doing is so worthwhile.
0:11:36 > 0:11:42We have had people that have come back to us after the raids and asked for our help, so it's always that
0:11:42 > 0:11:43in your head that we are helping somebody.
0:11:43 > 0:11:49The suspected brothel is in an ordinary suburban flat surrounded by quiet family homes.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54It looks harmless, but Gemma knows looks can be deceptive.
0:11:54 > 0:12:01We work with Essex quite a lot and we had some brothels that were being run by the same person and they went
0:12:01 > 0:12:06into a premises where there was a samurai sword taped behind a door, so there's always that worry.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10After a snoop around the flat, Janet is back with some crucial information.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14There's a male oriental man in the kitchen there.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16He'll be the man that's controlling the premises,
0:12:16 > 0:12:20we believe, so there'll be one female and one male, I would suggest.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23Janet's got everything she needs.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26The raid will go ahead tomorrow morning.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28We don't know what we're going into.
0:12:28 > 0:12:33Obviously, when you think of organised crime groups, they are involved in all sorts of other crime.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35It could be drugs, it could be firearms and weaponry.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38So we're going into the unknown.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Early next morning, Janet and her team get ready for the raid.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49They're heading into a potentially volatile and dangerous situation.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Stab proof vests are essential.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55If you stick near Janet, cos you're going to be dealing with the victim.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57If they say they want help, Janet will take them
0:12:57 > 0:13:00to the Victim Care Centre, so you'll go with her.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03But make sure you stay behind someone with a vest on and don't go
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- in anywhere if you don't feel completely safe, OK?- Yes.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10Officer John Alcock will be first in.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13The role today I play is the punter.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17I'm going to knock on the door and tell them I've made the appointment, which I have done,
0:13:17 > 0:13:22just made the call and we made the appointment, and they're expecting me as the customer.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25So, yes, I will be first in, first through the communal door,
0:13:25 > 0:13:29then first to knock on the actual door of the premises itself.
0:13:29 > 0:13:34A touch nervous, if I'm honest. It's probably nervous and a little bit of adrenaline, too.
0:13:34 > 0:13:40The officers are briefed to make sure everyone knows what they're doing on the raid.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42There could be anyone inside the flat and if
0:13:42 > 0:13:46sex trafficking gangs are involved, there's always a risk of violence.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50There's an entry door with a buzzer that Gary will use, so whoever comes
0:13:50 > 0:13:56up behind him will obviously need to, as quickly as possible, get behind him when he's got that entry
0:13:56 > 0:14:01and wedge the door open, because he then has to go up the next set of stairs and try and gain entry.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06He'll be vulnerable in that sense, so he needs you there ASAP.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08The intention is probably to arrest the maid,
0:14:08 > 0:14:14speak to the victim and if possible take her to the Victim Care Centre to get her story of why she's here.
0:14:14 > 0:14:22We are going into something that is unknown and the inherent dangers that might be there.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Just be aware of your own safety.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32Janet and her team prepare for the worst.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36It's 11.30am.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39Three police cars and ten officers head to the flat.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51What we're doing now is we're regrouping and the uniform will
0:14:51 > 0:14:57get into place in order that we're ready to enter the premises when we're called in by Gary.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06We're just heading towards the premises and taking up a position
0:15:06 > 0:15:09where we won't be seen by any offenders.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12So we're just getting into position, really.
0:15:12 > 0:15:13Then we'll be called in by Gary.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16That's a bit of an issue.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20Posing as a punter, officer John Alcock's gone ahead into the block.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Behind him are the police enforcement team.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Everybody's nervous.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31We're just waiting now for the person to answer the door.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40Breaking down the door is the most dangerous part of the operation.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47The police have no idea who's waiting for them on the other side.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Right, police, just wait there. Wait there.
0:15:56 > 0:15:57Police! Police!
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- Go, go, go.- Stay where you are. Stay where you are.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06Kick that door open. Get it down.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11Once inside, the police immediately detain the Chinese man.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Sergeant Hutchinson from Mitcham police station.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17We're executing a section eight warrant.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Come on then. Just come and walk out here for me, OK.
0:16:20 > 0:16:25Luckily, this time it looks like he's alone, apart from the young woman.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30You stay calm, and we're going look after you, OK.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34Janet's biggest priority is protecting the distraught young woman.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36You're safe now.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38- OK?- Yes.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Don't panic, all right?
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- We will...- Thank you.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44That's all right. We will help you.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46OK, thank you very much.
0:16:46 > 0:16:47We're here to help you.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Yes, thank you.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52That man will go away from here, and we'll get
0:16:52 > 0:16:55him away from here, and then we'll speak to you where you'll feel safe.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- OK.- OK?- Yes, thank you very much.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03Sadly, it turns out the young woman is the victim of an organised sex trafficking ring.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07Just quickly, because I'm still dealing with the lady who's quite traumatised.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Just to let you know, she was actually was...
0:17:09 > 0:17:13she came across to England in 2008, via a container.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17She got into a container, a specially made container in China.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19She's actually North Korean.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Was given bread and water throughout the journey.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26Was then transported by ferry to another part of Europe.
0:17:26 > 0:17:31On to another ferry, and then into the back of a lorry and brought over to this country.
0:17:31 > 0:17:38It cost her £14,000 to get here, and she still owes that money, because all she's made since
0:17:38 > 0:17:42she's come to this country in 2008 is enough to survive and nothing else.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45Last year, the police estimated that over 2,500 women
0:17:45 > 0:17:50were trafficked from Asia into the UK to work in the sex trade.
0:17:50 > 0:17:56Most of these women think they're about to embark on a better life, but the reality is shocking.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59For many of them, their passports are taken away
0:17:59 > 0:18:05and they are sent to an unknown address, cut off from the world and forced to become a sex slave.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08She'll be told she will be working as a prostitute.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12She will then be told she will work from 9am to 10pm.
0:18:12 > 0:18:17Generally it will be £60-£90 for half hour, and she'll be told that she has to pay at least half
0:18:17 > 0:18:23that back for the rent of the room, then she'll also be asked to pay more money for food and everything else.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27So it ends up that she'll probably only have made £10 from that client.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30So at the end of the day she may have £30, that's all.
0:18:30 > 0:18:36They can't go back home because culturally it's a no-no and their families would disown them.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39For them religiously, it's an awful thing as well, so not only physically
0:18:39 > 0:18:44but mentally they're completely at the will of the traffickers.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48It's a money making business for those at the top of the triangle.
0:18:48 > 0:18:49The top of the crime triangle.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54To them, those women are another commodity that they can sell.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57It's half an hour since the police entered the flat.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01The man is taken to the station, but he is released without charge.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04Back at the premises, the police begin their search.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08The officers look for anything, like money, that may have come from the sex trade.
0:19:08 > 0:19:13They'll also seize any computers that may hold relevant information
0:19:13 > 0:19:16on how the young woman was trafficked into the country.
0:19:16 > 0:19:22We found approximately about £250-£300, which is quite a large
0:19:22 > 0:19:25amount of money in cash really, sort of rolled up into £100 bundles.
0:19:25 > 0:19:32We found rail tickets for the female who travelled up yesterday, which is what we suspected would be the case.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37Laptop - whether that's, you know, for their use just to speak to family
0:19:37 > 0:19:42or they're advertising on that as well, but that will be interrogated by our high tech crime unit.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44So we had some good finds, really, today.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- OK?- Yeah.- Don't panic. All right?
0:19:50 > 0:19:54She initially is saying that she came into the country
0:19:54 > 0:19:56via a trailer.
0:19:56 > 0:20:02As a three-year-old in North Korea, she was then sent to north China,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05and was given to an older man.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08She's been with him ever since.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13He recently had an accident wherefore he can't provide or make money.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17So a Snakehead, which is a Triad gang leader,
0:20:17 > 0:20:21in that area, suggested that he sends her to England to make money.
0:20:21 > 0:20:22He paid £14,000.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25She's still owes that money.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29She said she hasn't been able to pay that back in the two, three years that she's been here,
0:20:29 > 0:20:34and still continues to try and work for that reason.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37The young girl is taken away for questioning, but Janet and her team
0:20:37 > 0:20:40will be on hand to lend any support she may need.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42She's got our names now.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46If she does feel bad or does get herself in a difficult
0:20:46 > 0:20:50situation, I feel that she has a confidence in us to give us a call.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52So at least we've done something for her.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02Britain's bravest police officers never know what they'll be up against next.
0:21:02 > 0:21:09But, when trouble does come, split second decisions can mean the difference between life and death.
0:21:09 > 0:21:16In October 2006, Met Police officers Mark Rudd and Lee Morgan rushed to a house,
0:21:16 > 0:21:21following reports of a young man threatening his mother with an axe and a kitchen knife.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24We received information before we turned up that he was still at the address.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26He was remaining at the address.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31Somehow his mum had managed to escape, and put the call in to us.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34We made the decision to put our riot gear on.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43All kitted out, they slowly made their way inside.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45We were at the front door,
0:21:45 > 0:21:51and luckily the door was open, it was ajar, so myself and PC Morgan entered the house.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59Every room we went into, potentially...
0:21:59 > 0:22:03he could be there with a knife or axe ready for us, or something else, we just didn't know.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07We cleared the ground floor,
0:22:07 > 0:22:10and also upstairs, in every bedroom.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14Whilst searching the bedroom we found the axe and the knife
0:22:14 > 0:22:16just lying discarded on the pillow.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20It was great, because then we knew they weren't in his possession.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23Mark and Lee were lulled into a false sense of security,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26thinking all they needed to do was find the suspect.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29There was only one other place
0:22:29 > 0:22:31he could be hiding, which was in the loft.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35As I glanced up, I noticed that the loft door was slightly ajar.
0:22:36 > 0:22:42The officers could see, through the loft hatch, that the man was holding a gun.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45Instantly, things had taken a dramatic turn for the worse.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48We heard a male...shouting,
0:22:48 > 0:22:53"If you come up here, I'm going to kill the first police officer I see."
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Mark and Lee were facing an extremely dangerous man.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59They immediately backed away and radioed for help from the Armed Response Unit.
0:22:59 > 0:23:05The way he put it made us believe that he wanted out and he didn't care what he had to do to get out.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09He was quite happy to threaten a load of police officers, which is, believe it or not, quite uncommon.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Back off!
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- We require armed response immediately, over.- Back off!
0:23:14 > 0:23:18We retreated down the stairs and waited at the front door.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20At that point, my heart was racing,
0:23:20 > 0:23:25so as me and Mark were next to the door, Mark said he could hear a clicking noise,
0:23:25 > 0:23:27and we listened and it sounded like
0:23:27 > 0:23:30someone loading bullets into a magazine.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33As we were securing the front door, still looking into the hallway,
0:23:33 > 0:23:37we heard the loud thud upstairs...
0:23:37 > 0:23:41And then I saw the suspect for the first time, walking down the stairs.
0:23:41 > 0:23:42Back off!
0:23:42 > 0:23:46With his arm out straight with a firearm in his right hand.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Back off! I'll kill the pair of you!
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Move! Back off! The gun is loaded, back off!
0:23:53 > 0:23:57You haven't got time to think of what he's going to do.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01Your initial thoughts are... to get out of there
0:24:01 > 0:24:03and stay safe, not be shot.
0:24:08 > 0:24:13We took cover behind a nearby car, and our colleagues took cover behind
0:24:13 > 0:24:17whatever was there, to be honest, walls and anything they could.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21Moments later, the armed man ran out of the front door.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28Potentially, you've got an armed suspect with a handgun.
0:24:28 > 0:24:34You don't know what his thoughts are, and obviously the capability of the firearm.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Mark's police instincts kicked in.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39He had to do something before someone got hurt.
0:24:39 > 0:24:46As he ran past me, my thoughts were basically just to tackle him to the ground.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49I launched myself forward and he pulled me along the ground.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52My initial thoughts were, "Where's the gun?"
0:24:52 > 0:24:55As I looked down the gun wasn't in his hands,
0:24:55 > 0:24:58but the gun could be near to where the suspect was, underneath him,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01he could easily have grabbed the gun and shot me.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05- Get off!- Despite being viciously attacked by the suspect,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Mark managed to keep hold of the man until back-up arrived.
0:25:11 > 0:25:16To this day, I'll never forget him coming down the stairs, gun held in his hand and pointed at us.
0:25:16 > 0:25:23I don't know if it's fair to say that anyone would have done it, but it was massively brave.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26Just Mark all over, to be honest.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29I think that particular incident is one I'll always remember,
0:25:29 > 0:25:33purely because my life was on the line,
0:25:33 > 0:25:38but tomorrow's a new day, you just carry on doing what you do...
0:25:39 > 0:25:42..and hoping that you won't be in that position again.
0:25:42 > 0:25:48Mark tackled the gunman so hard he dislocated his shoulder, but it could have been so much worse.
0:25:48 > 0:25:54His selfless act not only protected the public, but also won him a police bravery award.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03It's extraordinary what the police come up against
0:26:03 > 0:26:07in their daily battle against the most serious crimes.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11In Manchester, an elite team of officers are out on the streets every day,
0:26:11 > 0:26:19forcing entry into ordinary suburban houses hiding dark secrets and evidence of crime.
0:26:19 > 0:26:24Today, they're about to launch a dawn raid to arrest a man suspected of supplying Class A drugs.
0:26:24 > 0:26:32Intelligence suggests that they're dealing both cocaine and cannabis from the address.
0:26:32 > 0:26:38What's led to the warrant today is that, on the 15th of last month, information was received
0:26:38 > 0:26:45from an informant who stated that her 15-year-old daughter went to a party at the subject's house,
0:26:45 > 0:26:48basically came home out of her head.
0:26:48 > 0:26:54The informant found out that she'd been given cocaine by the subject,
0:26:54 > 0:26:56and the coke is being sold to kids.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00We believe that there's possibly three people at the address...
0:27:00 > 0:27:06The police have been gathering information on comings and goings at the premises,
0:27:06 > 0:27:11and today an army of officers are hoping to find out exactly what's been going on.
0:27:11 > 0:27:17The method today is to force entry to the premises, to secure and preserve any evidence.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22Everyone gets detained, everyone gets cuffed up and then brought down to the living room.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25We don't know what's behind the door, and there's a chance that
0:27:25 > 0:27:29the occupants of the address may try to protect themselves.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32We've got to be mindful of...
0:27:32 > 0:27:36any weapons inside the address and the suspects trying to attack us.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41These highly trained officers are part of the proactive team
0:27:41 > 0:27:45formed in 2009 to combat the rise of serious crime in Manchester.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49They're specifically trained to raid the homes of suspected criminals
0:27:49 > 0:27:51such as drug dealers and violent offenders.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56But, before they set off, each officer puts on a special suit of armour
0:27:56 > 0:27:59made of toughened material known as Kevlar.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01Five times stronger than steel,
0:28:01 > 0:28:06it shields them against dangerous weapons and shattered glass.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Preparation is key before any raid,
0:28:08 > 0:28:13and an early morning recce on the house has already been done so they can plan their method of entry,
0:28:13 > 0:28:18but nothing can prepare them for what they might find once inside.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21It's 9am, and no time is wasted.
0:28:22 > 0:28:27Two officers carrying the double Ram-It are ready to break down the door.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30- Police!- Stay where you are, stay where you are!
0:28:32 > 0:28:38Three officers head straight upstairs, while another attends to the young woman in the living room.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45Very unhappy to see us, but hey-ho.
0:28:48 > 0:28:54Whilst the police search for the suspect upstairs, a young woman is handcuffed and questioned.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58- Why'd you shut the door when you seen us coming? - It's not my house.- What?
0:28:58 > 0:29:04- It's not my house.- You could see us coming. You're lucky the door's not been knocked off its hinges.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09Two of the occupants are immediately brought down for questioning.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15At the moment, just to let you know, we've got a search warrant for this address.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18Search it, then. You searched it three times and never found...
0:29:18 > 0:29:22Unfortunately for the police, the main suspect is nowhere to be found.
0:29:22 > 0:29:28Nonetheless, a full search of the house to uncover any hidden drugs is now under way.
0:29:30 > 0:29:35Meanwhile, Officer Tracey Martin attends to the three distressed women
0:29:35 > 0:29:38to keep them calm while the search goes on.
0:29:38 > 0:29:45It helps having a female officer in the address, especially if there are other females in the address,
0:29:45 > 0:29:48because sometimes they might be in bed, they might feel embarrassed
0:29:48 > 0:29:51because they're partially clothed or...just panic, really,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54and if there's another female there they don't feel as embarrassed.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58The man comes barging in the bedroom, then it's a bit... they're more shocked, I think.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00As the search starts in the bedroom,
0:30:00 > 0:30:05PC Craig Chapman is about to enter potentially dangerous territory.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07About to go and search the loft now.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11The loft, for me, can be one of the most dangerous places to search,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14due to the fact that you're very vulnerable up in a small space,
0:30:14 > 0:30:17and the first part of my body that's going up is my head.
0:30:17 > 0:30:23Recently I went up into a loft where it was suspected a wanted male was in there.
0:30:23 > 0:30:28I got up the ladders and popped my head through the loft, and there was a wanted male stood.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31As soon as he seen me he then threw an object towards my head,
0:30:31 > 0:30:35which meant I had to jump off the ladders and take cover.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39The male then went to the loft hatch and started throwing down
0:30:39 > 0:30:42slats of laminate flooring that was up in the loft,
0:30:42 > 0:30:47and myself and my colleagues had to take cover while he was throwing the objects down.
0:30:47 > 0:30:52Fortunately, none of them hit us in any place that could cause serious injury,
0:30:52 > 0:30:57but if it was to hit one of us in the head we would have been in a serious state.
0:30:59 > 0:31:05Before the officer enters the unknown, he gives a clear warning to anyone who might be hiding.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06Police officers!
0:31:08 > 0:31:12Now we're up in the loft it looks quite bare, to be honest.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15The only thing is these two holdalls
0:31:15 > 0:31:18plus a load of insulation.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20We have had it in the past where we've had wanted males
0:31:20 > 0:31:25hiding under all this insulation, and also where they've hid drugs
0:31:25 > 0:31:27underneath the insulation.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30On any raid, there's always the possibility
0:31:30 > 0:31:32that officers can be hurt, but thankfully
0:31:32 > 0:31:37there was no threat of violence of any sort at this address.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41Back in the bedroom, there's further evidence to suggest
0:31:41 > 0:31:43that drugs are being used in the house.
0:31:43 > 0:31:50The quantity of empty snack bags and numerous rizla papers.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53It's evidence of smoking cannabis
0:31:53 > 0:31:55and rolling cannabis in the bedroom.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59Instead of disposing of it in a bin like anyone else, any normal person,
0:31:59 > 0:32:02she's discarded it under the bed.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05There's no cannabis here, they're all empty snack banks,
0:32:05 > 0:32:09but it's good for intelligence purposes.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13But, it doesn't take long before he uncovers a stash of drugs.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16The early stage of the search has recovered
0:32:16 > 0:32:19four snack bags of cannabis.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21We're still upstairs inside the address,
0:32:21 > 0:32:25so potentially there's going to be more inside the address.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28Downstairs, one of the three women is arrested
0:32:28 > 0:32:30for possession of cannabis.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32It's now 10 past nine, at this present moment
0:32:32 > 0:32:37- I'm going to arrest you on possession of a class B substance, namely cannabis.- All right.- OK?
0:32:37 > 0:32:40Those three bags of cannabis were found in your room, OK?
0:32:40 > 0:32:44You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention
0:32:44 > 0:32:46when questioned, something which you later rely on in court.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Are you sure there's no more drugs in the premises?
0:32:49 > 0:32:52Because we did ask you before, and you all said no.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54Obviously we have found something.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58The proactive team are especially thorough in their search.
0:32:58 > 0:33:04It's painstaking work, but often it's the distinctive aroma of drugs that can lead them to a find.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07There's a strong smell coming from this area.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09I had a look in the footwear,
0:33:09 > 0:33:13couldn't see anything, but reaching in,
0:33:13 > 0:33:18down near the toes, I've come across a further three bags of cannabis.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22These would probably range between £10 bags and £20 bags.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26All the time, offenders,
0:33:26 > 0:33:29people who deal in drugs are looking at all different ways
0:33:29 > 0:33:32to hide the drugs to stop police from finding them
0:33:32 > 0:33:36when we're executing these warrants, so we just have to make sure that
0:33:36 > 0:33:40we're as clever as they are, if not cleverer, and make sure we search everywhere.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44It's a couple of hours since the police first entered the house,
0:33:44 > 0:33:46and all they haven't caught the suspected
0:33:46 > 0:33:50cocaine dealer, the team have seized a substantial amount
0:33:50 > 0:33:52of cannabis hidden around the property.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55Just recovered another
0:33:55 > 0:33:59nine bags of cannabis from behind the wardrobe.
0:33:59 > 0:34:04They're probably about £10 bags, these, which equates to £90.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08The proactive team attend three to five drug raids a week.
0:34:08 > 0:34:13Some can uncover thousands of pounds worth of drugs ranging from cannabis
0:34:13 > 0:34:19to Class As, as well as illegal offensive weapons that are sometimes used against the officers.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Fortunately today, nobody's been hurt,
0:34:22 > 0:34:25and the team are pleased with what they've retrieved.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27Search of the addressed
0:34:27 > 0:34:34has recovered approximately 17 bags of cannabis bush.
0:34:34 > 0:34:40Street value between £10 and £20 a bag.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43Approximate valuation of £200.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47She'll be conveyed now to Pendleton police station
0:34:47 > 0:34:52where detention will be authorised and she'll be later interviewed
0:34:52 > 0:34:55about the two offences she's been arrested for.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01The young woman is taken to the station to be questioned further
0:35:01 > 0:35:04about the cannabis found amongst her possessions.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16Police raids require meticulous planning to ensure
0:35:16 > 0:35:19the safety of all officers involved.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22But sometimes they have just seconds to respond.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27On a November evening in 2007, Hampshire police officers
0:35:27 > 0:35:30raced to a house after getting a disturbing call.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33A caller had just threatened to...
0:35:33 > 0:35:37Was inquiring how long he'd get for shooting his ex-partner?
0:35:37 > 0:35:43And he was on his way to shoot her, that's as far as we knew.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46PC Matt Burrows drove straight to the girlfriend's house
0:35:46 > 0:35:50and began searching the streets for the boyfriend.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55I remember seeing a silhouette.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02And I knew there was something wrong because they looked agitated.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06So I started walking towards the silhouette
0:36:06 > 0:36:08but they disappeared into the darkness.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10The silhouetted man hadn't gone very far.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13Meanwhile, PC Simon Warren pitched up to help.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17Think I just seen someone, go and check it out.
0:36:17 > 0:36:22As I drove round into the next cul-de-sac which was a gravel track,
0:36:22 > 0:36:26there he was just stood in the middle of the track pointing
0:36:26 > 0:36:28a weapon at the car.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33But it was no ordinary weapon being aimed at Simon.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37It wasn't a rifle, sawn-off shotgun and it wasn't a huge crossbow.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41But it was a crossbow because part of it you could see clearly.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50It wasn't until I got out of the car and got face-to-face with him
0:36:50 > 0:36:55that I could see it had a bolt in it as well, so it was a loaded.
0:36:55 > 0:36:56Back off.
0:36:56 > 0:36:57Put it down first.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59- Back off.- Put it down and we can talk about it.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02As he began talking, I could smell intoxicants on his breath.
0:37:02 > 0:37:06He was quite clearly drunk and was a bit emotional.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09What do you want to happen now? What do you want us to do?
0:37:09 > 0:37:11Leave me alone.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14At that time, Matt rushed to where the stand-off was taking
0:37:14 > 0:37:17place between Simon and the jealous boyfriend.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20I could see PC Warren's car and in the headlights
0:37:20 > 0:37:24I could see this guy holding what appeared to be a crossbow
0:37:24 > 0:37:26very close to PC Warren's face.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29- Put it down or someone's going to get hurt.- Back off.
0:37:29 > 0:37:30We can sort it out.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32One pull of that trigger and your life's over, mate.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35At that point, he sees me and I say,
0:37:35 > 0:37:38"Don't worry this is PC Burrows, you know me."
0:37:38 > 0:37:41At that moment he pointed the crossbow at me.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46And I thought, what's going to happen now?
0:37:47 > 0:37:50- Is he going to fire it? - Back off.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Alarmed, Matt began to back off,
0:37:52 > 0:37:56only for the jealous boyfriend to turn the crossbow back on Simon.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59And then I heard a click...
0:37:59 > 0:38:03which I was pretty sure that would have been the safety,
0:38:03 > 0:38:07which meant he'd only have to squeeze the trigger a bit more and it would go off.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Simon's life was on a knife-edge.
0:38:09 > 0:38:14One-shot to the head can kill a man and an arrow would pass straight through body armour.
0:38:14 > 0:38:19I was thinking, I'm in a spot of bother here.
0:38:19 > 0:38:24He might not mean to, but because of his intoxicated state he might put more
0:38:24 > 0:38:26pressure on the trigger than he intends to
0:38:26 > 0:38:28and It'll all be over.
0:38:28 > 0:38:33At that point I was beginning to get really concerned
0:38:33 > 0:38:35that my life might be in danger here.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38You must be getting tired put it down.
0:38:38 > 0:38:39I've got all night.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42You don't really want to be pointing out, do you?
0:38:45 > 0:38:49I remember he started to turn the crossbow away from me
0:38:49 > 0:38:53and he crouched down, put it low to the ground
0:38:53 > 0:38:57while he was fiddling trying to do something with it.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Simon immediately saw his chance to end the stand-off.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03I literally jumped on to the crossbow.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07He still had it as he was holding on pretty tight.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11Next thing I knew PC Warren was shouting for urgent assistance.
0:39:11 > 0:39:15The adrenalin was there, I ran as fast as I could.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17A couple of police officers came running towards us full tilt
0:39:17 > 0:39:20and bowled the offender over
0:39:20 > 0:39:24and that's when he lost grip of the crossbow and I came away with it.
0:39:28 > 0:39:33It was an extremely brave gamble, but Simon's quick reactions ended
0:39:33 > 0:39:37what could have been a tragedy for him and the jealous boyfriend.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41The worst thing that could have happened is
0:39:41 > 0:39:46if he'd either accidentally or on purpose discharged the weapon,
0:39:46 > 0:39:48there was a real risk it would have killed me.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51If the armed response vehicles had been there
0:39:51 > 0:39:55and he had threatened them with it, they, I'm quite sure,
0:39:55 > 0:40:00wouldn't have hesitated and they would have fired at him first.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02So the absolute worst case scenario is I could be dead
0:40:02 > 0:40:04and an offender dead as well.
0:40:04 > 0:40:10PC Warren is a very experienced officer and he saw a moment
0:40:10 > 0:40:13that he felt confident he'd be able to
0:40:13 > 0:40:15get the weapon away from him and get him arrested.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19And he took it, and it was the right decision.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22The jealous boyfriend was lucky to escape with his life.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27He received 15 months for affray and possession of an offensive weapon.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29PC Simon Warren received a bravery award
0:40:29 > 0:40:34for keeping his head in the face of danger.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Next time on Britain's bravest cops.
0:40:42 > 0:40:48Off-duty PC Matt Hunt relives the moment he tackled a knife-wielding maniac.
0:40:48 > 0:40:56Any knife, doesn't matter how big or small, can inflict some serious wounds and injuries.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58A knife the size could have killed somebody.
0:40:58 > 0:41:03Officers from Strathclyde police crack down on Glasgow's rising gang culture
0:41:03 > 0:41:07after a violent street fight erupts in the middle of the city.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10All it needed was a random blow from one of those knives
0:41:10 > 0:41:13and you'd have had somebody lying on a mortuary slab.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16And we follow Manchester's specialist proactive unit
0:41:16 > 0:41:19as they crack down on drug crime.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25Police officers, stay where you are!