Man charged after GP practice staff were ‘confronted with knives’

A man has been charged after launching an attack on a GP practice earlier this month.

Staff at Woodley Health Centre in Stockport faced the incident at around midday on Friday 12 March.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that staff were ‘confronted with knives’ in the waiting room and ‘threatened’ to hand over medication. The series of incidents, which happened in ‘quick succession’, also saw a man assaulted through his car window.

A police officer had to use his taser on the assailant, a 50-year-old from the town, who had ‘lunged’ at him.

The man was remanded in custody before being due to appear before Tameside Magistrates Court this week (15 March).

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: ‘Michael Brannigan… has been charged with four counts of possession of an offensive weapon, robbery, criminal damage, assault by beating and affray.’

The force added that it had received ‘several reports concerning an aggressive man’ at the health centre.

Its chief constable commended the ‘bravery’ of the officers who responded to the scene.

Acting chief constable Ian Pilling said: ‘This incident clearly demonstrates the danger that my officers run towards on a daily basis and thanks to their quick actions, they were able to prevent anyone from coming to any harm.

‘This incident clearly left a number of people very shaken and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the officers of Greater Manchester Police who work incredibly hard 24/7 and act with the utmost bravery to keep our communities safe.’

There has been a spate of attacks on GP practices around the UK in recent years. Last month, one in Nottinghamshire was subject to a potential case of arson, while the month prior saw a man admit to setting fire to a practice in Gloucester.

Last year, eight people were assaulted at premises in Buckinghamshire, and a site in Bristol was vandalised with ‘anti-GP’ graffiti a matter of months later.