Synopsis
Andy Hailwood was the point man of an elite police tactical firearms team in Britain's most gang-infested city. Over almost 20 years he took part in major operations to arrest international terrorists, ruthless drugs gangs, kidnappers and armed robbers and was on the frontline at some of the most violent crime busts of recent years. A keen rugby player, he joined the Greater Manchester Police cadets in 1978 at the age of 16 and was introduced to guns in the VA3 Firearms Department. I n the early eighties, he policed major riots on the streets of Moss Side and Toxteth, experiences which led him to apply for the infamous Tactical Aid Group, known as the T.A.G. During four years with the T.A.G he took part in high-profile ops that have become part of modern policing history, including the Miners' Strike, the Libyan Trials, the Manchester Airport disaster and the return of Myra Hindley to Saddleworth Moor. In 1987, he transferred to the VO8 firearms department, whose reputation for hard-hitting assault tactics earned them fear and respect in equal measure. He helped to arrest an IRA cell based in the North West, was part of an ambush team who swooped on a notorious Salford drugs gang on a motorway, and was on the frontline during the most violent period in Manchester's gangland history. He freed hostages, foiled bank robbers, arrested Columbian drug dealers and neo-Nazis and received death threats and intimidation from many criminals. Gun Law tells the action-packed inside story of hard target, armed policing on the streets of Britain and the men who daily risk their lives in pursuit of our most dangerous criminals.