Unarmed Sandwell police officers given bravery award for disarming shotgun brandishing man during 'routine' door-knock

Detective Constable Ash Forster and Police Constable Tim Small were faced with the man brandishing a shotgun during what they thought would be a friendly chat.

Despite being unarmed the pair, who were part of the Sandwell Serious and Organised Crime Team, walked out the property with two guns and a man and woman in cuffs.

Ash disarmed the shouting man with the shotgun while Tim, who had been inside the home with the suspect’s mother, ran to back up his partner after hearing the commotion. Together the pair arrested the man on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and firearms offences.

Ash, who retired in November after 27 years walking the thin blue line, earned a West Midlands Police Bravery Award and a Commander’s Commendation over the Line of Duty style incident in the Spring.

He said: “Having worked in guns and gangs for more than 20 years, this call never really gave me cause for concern. It was an occasion where we thought it was a routine inquiry and that you’ve got to satisfy yourself there is no real danger.

“They weren’t known to police at all until this point. We turned up at the house not expecting anything, and got a good result in taking two guns off the street.”

Tim said: “It’s one of those jobs where we didn’t really expect it, but we’ve taken possession of two weapons and potentially stopped a murder.”

The door-knock happened after the pair had been tipped off about a potential conspiracy to murder involving a woman. After visiting a previous address which she had moved out of they rang her up and arranged to meet at an alternative address.

When they arrived, a vehicle pulled onto the drive, and a man got out of the passenger side and sprinted into the house. Ash followed him but could not find him in the house.

As they spoke to the woman in the kitchen the man came in through a rear door and then immediately went back out again.

Ash said: “It didn’t look right so I walked outside and he was stood down the side of the house with a shotgun. At this point I didn’t have my baton or cuffs, just a radio. I raced up to him, grabbed him with one hand, and grabbed the weapon with the other hand.

“There was lots of shouting going on and Tim came out to cuff him.”

Tim believed their stellar response was down to their training.

He said: “It all escalated very quickly. I’ve done this job for 15 years and you go into autopilot. Your experience and training kick in. You’re thinking of your own safety, the public’s safety, and that we’ve got people and weapons we need to secure.”

After a thorough search of the property an improvised slam gun which was deemed live and viable.

The officers have now been awarded the West Midlands Police Federation bravery award for Sandwell, which is sponsored by Serve and Protect.

Tim said: “I didn't come into the job to get awards, and while I don’t really want the attention, it's nice to be recognised for the work that we've done.”

Ash added: “I haven’t done anything I think was out of the ordinary that merited being brave, but the award is a really nice thing to retire on. It all came from a bit of intelligence that we thought would need a quick chat and ended with quite a good result.”

A woman was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and firearms offences during the incident earlier this year.

The West Midlands Police Federation Bravery Awards, which are sponsored by Slater and Gordon lawyers are being held on January 30.