“This is not something which we will tolerate."
A man named Hari Mann has been jailed for firing blanks at police in Leicestershire.
On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, Mann donned a fake police uniform as he pointed a handgun at a member of the public in Braunstone Town.
Leicestershire Police reported that the “quick, calm, and skilled policing response” resulted in Mann being arrested and subsequently jailed.
No members of the public were hurt during the incident.
On the day of the crime, Mann, aged 25, drove a Mercedes Sprinter van into a pub car park before 9:30 am.
He proceeded to empty the van. After a member of the public questioned him, Mann pointed a handgun at him.
As a result, police and armed officers were deployed to the scene.
On arrival, the firearms officers were confronted by Mann who fired shots.
One of the officers recognised that it was an imitation weapon and that the shots were blanks, making the situation diffused aptly.
As Mann attempted to flee the scene, a taser was used and the man was detained.
While he was in custody, Mann also assaulted a nurse.
Due to concerns about what was in the van, a cordon was utilised and several properties near the area were evacuated as a precaution.
Officers also searched an address in Lancaster Place that had links to Mann.
They discovered another firearm, a police-style uniform, and handcuffs. Some of the uniform was purchased from an online auction site.
In addition, two cars also linked to Hari Mann were found and contained sirens and blue light equipment.
Mann was charged on October 9, 2024. At Leicester Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to:
- One count of modifying an imitation firearm
- One count of impersonating a police office
- One count of assault on an emergency worker
Detective Inspector Hazel Sandall commented: “This was an incident that resulted in a fast-paced policing response and had a significant impact on the local community.
“The first report to our control room was made at 9:57 am and Mann was arrested at 10:15 am.
“Thanks to the quick reactions of our call handlers and firearms officers, he was detained before he was able to cause physical harm to anyone.
“It is enormous credit to officers and staff involved in this response that they were able to bring the incident to a swift and safe conclusion.
“The items uncovered by officers as the investigation progressed were deeply concerning.”
“While his weapon contained blank rounds, the fact he was still prepared to pull the trigger at armed officers makes me truly believe he wanted to cause fear of serious harm to the public and police.
“This is not something which we will tolerate and, as our officers and staff showed, we will take immediate action to ensure our communities remain protected and safe.”
On Friday, January 31, 2025, Hari Mann was jailed for three years.
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