A RADCLIFFE man has been charged over a series of alleged offences, after he was said to have pointed "gun fingers" at police officers in apparent reference to the sergeant shot dead in London.

David Rivett, 24, from Radcliffe, allegedly attempted to engage Greater Manchester Police traffic officers in a pursuit by pointing "gun fingers" toward them.

Greater Manchester Police's traffic unit said that the gesture was "about our recent fallen colleague."

Sgt Matt Ratana was said to have been shot by a handcuffed suspect in the early hours of Friday at a custody suite in Croydon.

Once Rivett was stopped on his bike, he allegedly became aggressive toward officers and CS spray was used.

A member of the public reportedly helped in restraining Rivett until backup arrived and police say that "they would like to thank that person."

The incident occurred in Outwood Road at around 6.30pm on Saturday, September 26.

Rivett has since been charged and will appear before a court in October for failing to provide, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, driving without third party insurance and a public order offence.

The suspect for the Croydon shooting – widely reported to be 23-year-old Louis De Zoysa – remains in a critical condition in hospital, and police said they have not yet been able to speak to him.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said Sgt Ratana’s death might give people an insight into the dangers and risks officers face.

She said: “If some good can come out of this terrible incident in which we have had one of our officers murdered, it would be that more people can understand a little bit about the challenges of police work and to see us police as who we are – human beings, going to work to help people, to support people and to protect people."