Give London Bridge police heroes the George Cross
PM urged to honour pair who fought jihadi knifemen
A CAMPAIGN was gathering pace last night to award the George Cross to two policemen who tackled knife-wielding jihadists during the London Bridge terror attack.
Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation, led calls for PC Wayne Marques and PC Charlie Guenigault to be given the highest gallantry award available for their exceptional courage that saved ‘many’ lives.
Senior police sources said the Prime Minister, who has vowed to clean up the honours system, should intervene to ensure the officers receive the George Cross.
The pair suffered horrific injuries when they confronted three terrorists wearing fake suicide vests who had murdered eight and injured 48 in June.
PC Marques, 38, was armed only with his baton when he confronted the attackers, who stabbed him repeatedly near London Bridge.
The British Transport Police officer was temporarily blinded when he was wounded above his right eye and also suffered significant injuries to his head, left leg and left hand. But despite his wounds, he continued to fight – even with a knife sticking out of his leg.
Meanwhile, off-duty emergency response officer PC Guenigault, 25, of the Metropolitan Police, was drinking with friends when the terrorists smashed their van into a nearby restaurant.
Instead of fleeing, he ran towards the attackers to protect others as they lashed out with 12in kitchen knives. He received stab wounds to his head, leg, back and stomach, and had to undergo a three-hour operation to remove his spleen.
The jihadists were eventually shot dead by armed police. Mr White said: ‘Charlie and Wayne deserve huge public recognition for the selfless bravery they demonstrated on that awful night. There can be no better illustration of the deep-rooted sense of duty held by those who swear to keep the Queen’s peace, regardless of whether they are on or off duty.
‘They ran towards danger, despite the odds they faced, and through their selfless acts of bravery, saved many lives while putting their own at risk and showed rorists ‘They will deserve how never the the threat win. highest from rec- terognition His demand from a was grateful backed nation.’ by retired Sidney Met MacKay, chief whose superintendent daughter to WPC death Nina on MacKay duty 20 was years stabbed ago.
Paying tribute to PCs Marques and Guenigault at a police function last month, he said: ‘Their valiant and courageous efforts were totally selfless given the determination of the terrorists to maim and kill as many people as possible.
‘Both acted in the highest traditions of the police service to protect the public, overlooking the inherent risk that their own lives could be forfeited.
‘They are deserving of the highest bravery award that the nation can provide.’ The men, who their recent Association injuries, are annual still of were recovering Ex-CID dinner guests Officers of at from the the of To the a Metropolitan rousing ovation, Police. former Met chief superintendent Sue Hill announced that the pair had won the Association’s Bravest Officers of the Year award, saying: ‘Your courage is humbling – we are proud of you.’ She described the way PC Guenigault ran towards danger to help others as an act of ‘incredible bravery’. And recalling PC Marques’s bravery, she said: ‘Even with a knife in his leg, he continued to fight [all three terrorists] with his baton. The attackers stood over him like a pack of wolves. We will never know how many lives Wayne saved that night through his selfless gallantry.’
‘Ran towards danger’