Salute to hero police couple in gang attack
HUSBAND and wife police officers who were attacked by a ‘pack of youths’ outside their home have been nominated for a national bravery award.
Pc Jack Wilber was stabbed twice with what was thought to be a screwdriver or a knife.
His wife, Pc Joanna Wilber, who was pregnant at the time, managed to hold the gang off until back-up arrived.
She suffered ‘ severe bruising’ and was taken to hospital, but thankfully discharged later.
Jack was also taken to hospital with ‘deep wounds’ and a broken rib.
He, too, was also released a short time later. Both Joanna and Jack – Greater Manchester Police officers based at Oldham – recovered to return to the frontline.
GMP Federation, which represents rank and file officers on the force, revealed both have been nominated for The National Police Bravery Awards.
They were off-duty at the time and ‘subjected to a sustained attack’ by what the Federation called ‘a violent gang’. The incident happened in September, 2019.
The pair had responded to the cries of a distressed woman outside their property, and could see she was being attacked.
The Federation said in a Facebook post: “Despite being severely outnumbered, the officers immediately went to her aid only to be
set upon by the gang.
“During the melee Jack was stabbed twice with what was either a screwdriver or a knife, receiving deep wounds and a broken rib. Jack still managed to grab hold of one of the assailants to prevent them making their escape but came under further attacks by the group, who were courageously held off by Joanna.
“Further units then arrived, and all the suspects were arrested.
“Jack and Joanna who suffered severe bruising both received hospital treatment but were thankfully discharged a short time afterwards.”
The Federation said investigations into incident were ‘ongoing’.
GMP Federation chairman, Stu
Berry, said the officers had been ‘put through hell’ during the incident.
He said: “They were up against an armed gang but protected this woman and did everything they could to get their assailants to justice. It’s even more remarkable considering Joanna was pregnant at the time. We are all very proud of them both.”
The National Police Bravery Awards honour officers from across England and Wales who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.
As nominees, both officers will attend a prestigious daytime reception and evening awards ceremony in London in July 2021.