Off-duty officer knifed in struggle

AN off- duty policeman suffered serious stab wounds after tackling one of the terrorists without a weapon.

The Scotland Yard officer, who plays rugby in his spare time, is in a critical condition in hospital. He is one of four officers who were injured – two seriously – in the London Bridge attack on Saturday night.

Metropolitan Police commissioner Cressida dick yesterday praised the ‘extraordinarily brave actions by officers on and off duty first on the scene’ who ‘ran towards the danger’.

The second policeman who was seriously injured is a British Transport Police officer who was on duty at the time and was one of the first to arrive at the scene after responding to calls for help from the public. Armed with only a baton, he bravely tried to stop the terrorists, and was stabbed in the face, head and leg.

The officer, who joined the BTP just two years ago, suffered seriously injuries, but is now in a stable condition in hospital.

BTP Chief Constable Paul Crowther said: ‘He showed enormous courage in the face of danger, as did many others who were at the scene and rushed to help.

‘For an officer who only joined us less than two years ago, the bravery he showed was outstanding and makes me extremely proud.’

Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh said: ‘There can be no doubt that the swift response of our colleagues – both armed and unarmed – saved further lives from being lost. There are barely words to describe their bravery – officers who ran towards danger with no thought for their own safety. They are the best of the best.’