On the evening of February 22, 2025, the town centre of Telford witnessed a deeply unsettling incident that underscored the dangerous and unpredictable challenges faced by police officers in the line of duty. At around 10 p.m., West Mercia Police officers PC Dan Arthur and PC George Oliver were dispatched in response to a report of an attempted break-in at a local shop.
The suspect was said to be using a trolley to force entry — an unusual method that might have signaled desperation or erratic behaviour. But what transpired next went far beyond a simple burglary attempt. The suspect, Matthew Sylvester, 37, was not merely trying to break into a shop.
Surveillance footage later revealed that he had planned a disturbing confrontation with the police. Wearing a jumper over his face and hiding in a nearby trolley park, Matthew Sylvester waited for police to arrive. In the darkness, he fashioned a brown paper bag into the shape of a firearm — a crude but effective imitation that he intended to use to threaten the responding officers.
As the police patrol car entered the car park, Sylvester sprang into action. He charged directly at the vehicle, pointing what appeared to be a handgun at the officers. In the low visibility of the night, there was no way for PC Dan Arthur and PC George Oliver to know that the weapon was fake.
Caught off guard, they backed away in their vehicle, only to find themselves trapped by the car park barriers. Sylvester continued his approach, going so far as to kick the vehicle and issue threats, particularly targeting PC Oliver on the passenger side.
Officers Trapped and Forced to React Quickly
In a profession where every second counts, the officers were forced into a tense standoff. They could not flee by vehicle and had no way of immediately assessing whether the firearm Matthew Sylvester wielded was genuine. The urgency of the situation compelled them to call for backup while remaining inside the car, vulnerable and unsure of Sylvester’s intentions. The 37-year-old then tried to open the boot of the police car, escalating the threat even further.
Recognising the danger and the need to take control of the situation, the officers exited the car and began pursuing Sylvester on foot. The chase led toward a nearby housing estate, but Sylvester did not make it far. The officers managed to tackle him to the ground before he could escape the confines of the car park.
Upon restraining him, they removed the jumper from his face, revealing that he was a known individual to the police — and that the weapon he carried was nothing more than a folded brown paper bag.
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While the weapon turned out to be fake, the fear and danger were very real. The officers had no way of distinguishing an imitation firearm from a real one in the heat of the moment, particularly in the poor lighting of the car park. That level of deception put not only the officers at risk but could have led to a far worse outcome had the situation escalated further.
A Calculated Act of Deception
Chief Inspector Matt Sanders of West Mercia Police highlighted the chilling premeditation behind Matthew Sylvester’s actions. He stated that Sylvester appeared to have orchestrated the entire scenario, from covering his face to manipulating the paper bag to resemble a handgun, with the deliberate aim of provoking and threatening the responding officers.
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According to Sanders, Sylvester’s conduct showed a clear intent to cause distress, alarm, and potentially harm to the police. This wasn’t an impulsive act. Sylvester deliberately positioned himself in a location where he could surprise the officers and even took the time to cover his identity.
He had no regard for the possibility that officers might respond with force in what they could reasonably assume was a life-threatening encounter. It was only thanks to the quick judgment and restraint of PC Dan Arthur and PC George Oliver that the situation did not spiral into something far worse.
In addition to the fake firearm incident, police later found that Matthew Sylvester was also in possession of a small quantity of cocaine — a Class A drug — and he faced charges related to that as well. Furthermore, his behaviour leading up to the encounter included threats to the public and attempts to burglarize a shop, suggesting that he was determined to incite chaos that night, regardless of the consequences.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Following his arrest, Matthew Sylvester was charged with multiple offences, including assaulting two emergency workers, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause distress, attempted burglary, possession of Class A drugs, and causing fear and violence. Initially, he appeared to contest the charges. However, halfway through a week-long trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court, he changed his plea and admitted guilt to all charges.
The presiding judge did not take the matter lightly. Sylvester was sentenced to 16 months in prison for possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause distress. In addition, he received a consecutive three-month sentence for the assault on the two police officers. He was also sentenced to four months for causing fear and violence and one month for drug possession, though these will run concurrently with his main sentence.
In total, Matthew Sylvester will serve 19 months behind bars — a sentence that reflects both the gravity of his offences and the potential danger he posed to public safety and law enforcement officers. His actions were not only disruptive but calculated and malicious, aimed squarely at those tasked with protecting the community.
Chief Inspector Sanders praised the officers for their courage and professionalism, noting that no one in uniform should have to face such violence simply for doing their job. He pointed out that Sylvester’s arrest was only possible due to the bravery, training, and quick thinking demonstrated by PC Dan Arthur and PC George Oliver. Despite being under immense pressure and faced with what appeared to be an armed attacker, they responded in a way that neutralized the threat without harm.
The case of Matthew Sylvester serves as a stark reminder of the dangers police officers face daily — even during what might initially appear to be routine callouts. The use of a fake weapon in such a volatile context not only put officers at risk but could have easily provoked a lethal response. It is a testament to the officers’ professionalism and composure that the situation was brought to a safe conclusion.
Matthew Sylvester’s sentence reflects society’s condemnation of such behaviour and serves as a warning to others who may consider similar actions. Fabricated threats are no less traumatic than real ones in the heat of the moment, and the justice system has reaffirmed that such offences will be met with serious consequences.
Ultimately, this incident highlights the importance of supporting law enforcement and recognizing the unpredictable and sometimes life-threatening nature of their duties. For PC Dan Arthur and PC George Oliver, it was a night they likely won’t forget — but thanks to their vigilance, the streets of Telford remain a little safer.