A big-hearted cop waded into a storm drain to rescue five young geese. The Canada goslings had become trapped and were unable to get back onto the Rochdale Canal at Middleton.
Police from the Middleton Neighbourhood team saw they were in distress and one officer walked into the water and lifted them one by one to safety. The rescue was filmed on the officer's body-worn camera and posted on GMP Middleton Facebook page.
But the heroic act then provoked a fierce online debate on social media over whether the police should have bothered rescuing the birds at all. Some said it was a waste of police time, while others congratulated them on their kindness and initiative.
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Aaron Hulse commented: "Not police job really is it?"
Adding: "Think you did a good thing I'm not saying that. Just think your time is not apportioned properly. It's not a criticism against you personally. Would love to meet up and have a chat at some point."
And, Dan Hamer sarcastically said: "Thats great, must have caught all the criminals in Rochdale and have nothing better to do. Well done I dont begrudge paying my council tax now."
Meanwhile, the officers themselves decided to amuse themselves in their report of what they did with puns following their soggy act. It said: "So not wanting to 'duck' his responsibility one of our officers waded in and one by one lifted them to safety.
"Naturally, we were on hand to film on in our body Worn Cameras in the hope he got soaked, however everything went swimmingly.
"We suspect no 'fowl' play, and the parents were made up with the 'eggsellant' service they received."
