Bobby dazzlers! Police join in the party at concert
POLICE PRAISED FOR PICTURES WITH PUBLIC
POLICE on patrol at the One Love Manchester benefit gig have been praised as new photographs emerged showing officers hugging fans and posing for pictures.
The collection of images illustrate a huge outpouring of support for the emergency services following the terrorist attacks in Manchester and in London on Saturday night.
They were released by Greater Manchester Police as the identity of the ‘dancing policeman’ who entertained children during the One Love Manchester concert at Emirates Old Trafford was revealed.
He is Pc Paul Taylor from Durham Constabulary and is based in Darlington, his force confirmed.
Pc Taylor was hailed after brilliant video footage emerged of him dancing and playing what looked like Ring a Ring o’ Roses with a group of youngsters in the crowd.
GMP bosses have been quick to praise his actions alongside members of the public.
Pc Taylor has 20 years of service and was one of around 50 Durham Constabulary officers on duty in Manchester at the concert. He and his colleagues got back to Durham at around 3.30am on Monday - and the force said he had no idea the footage had gone viral on social media.
The officers from Durham were seconded to help GMP as part of mutual aid arrangements which exist between UK police forces.
Pc Taylor said family and friends recognised him from the footage.
He said: “It was an amazing experience and it made such a change to have people coming up to us saying they were glad we were there and how reassured they felt.
“We were just there to play our part helping our GMP colleagues after such an enormous and tragic event.
“I had posed for a picture with these two young girls who were with their mum, and they asked if I’d like to dance. I can’t remember what was playing at the time. I think it may have been Justin Bieber. Since the clip went viral my phone hasn’t stopped ringing.”
The images, posted on GMP’s Flickr page, show one armed police officer laughing as he accepts what appears to be a donut from a woman at the concert. Others pose with fans young and old for selfies and photos and one officer is even treated to a big hug by a member of the huge crowd. Chief Supt Stuart Ellison, who was event commander on the night, said his officers ‘stood united’ and welcomed visitors from across the country. He thanked all those who watched the show and revealed just one arrest was made at the stadium – a man who was held on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly. The concert, hosted by Ariana Grande, was watched by an incredible 14 million people at its peak and helped boost the fundraising appeal total to more than £10m.