West Midlands Police Bravery Awards: Pair honoured after routine enquiry takes a rapid turn

20 December 2024

Two West Midlands Police Federation members have told how a ‘routine’ inquiry ended with them taking two guns off the streets and receiving a bravery award.

Detective Constable Ash Forster and Police Constable Tim Small said their training kicked in when faced with a man in possession of a shotgun during what they thought was a standard call.

Ash disarmed the man at an address, while Tim, who had been inside the property with the suspect’s mother, supported his colleague to complete the arrest on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and firearms offences.

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

Detective Constable Ash Forster and Police Constable Tim Small have won a West Midlands Police Bravery Award.

Ash, who retired in November after 27 years with the Force, 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 incident began with the officers, who are part of the Sandwell serious and organised crime team, receiving information of a potential conspiracy to murder.

After initially attending an address at which the suspect no longer lived, they contacted her and arranged to meet at an alternative address.

Unarmed

When they arrived, they saw a vehicle pull onto the drive, and a man got out of the passenger side and sprinted into the house.

Tim spoke to the female driver in her vehicle while Ash - unarmed - went into the property, but initially could not find the man.

The officers then continued to talk to the woman in the kitchen, before 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.”

Experience and training

Tim, who was also unarmed, added: “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.”

A wider search of the address found 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.”

Intelligence

Ash, who has also received a Commander’s Commendation following the incident, said: “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.”

The officers will receive their award at the West Midlands Police Federation Bravery Awards, which are sponsored by Slater and Gordon lawyers.

The awards will be held on Thursday 30 January.