How officers saved distressed man's life through ‘grainy’ picture he sent to his friend

Image sent by the man to his friend

Quick-thinking officers used their photographic memory to locate a distressed man who was threatening to take his life.

Officers were called on Monday 12 January just after 6pm following a concern for safety. A man, in his 30s, was threatening to take his life and refusing to give his location.

However, he had sent his concerned friend a grainy picture of where he was.

Officers from Broxtowe’s Neighbourhood Policing Team and response officers were able to identify the location due to their local knowledge of the area.

They cross referenced the location against Google Maps. They then followed fresh footprints in the mud near the M1 where they finally located him.

He is now being offered welfare support.

Image taken by officer when he arrived at the scene alongside the picture sent by the man to his friend

Chief Inspector Arnie Ahmed, who is responsible for city response officers, said:

"With threats to life incidents, time is of the utmost importance.

"Every decision you make is vital. On this occasion, officers had very little information to go on. All they had was a grainy picture he had sent to his friend.

"Thankfully, the officers had a great local knowledge of the area and were able to identify the picture as near to the M1.

"Using Google Maps, they then pinpointed the exact location where the man was standing when he took the picture.

"When they arrived, he was not there. However, they now had a further lead which was fresh footprints in the mud. Officers began to follow these footprints for some time, until they finally located the man in an underpass.

"He was then supported by officers until other emergency services arrived. I strongly believe that this incident would have played out very differently if it was not for the quick-thinking actions of these officers, both from neighbourhoods and response.

"Having that local knowledge of an area has ensured this man was saved from harm.

"Our officers will always be there in people’s hour of need, as this incident demonstrates, and we hope the man makes a full recovery and gets the support he needs."

If you are struggling with mental health, you can call the Samaritans 24/7, 365 days a year on 116 123 for free. In an emergency always dial 999.