A COP was recovering in hospital last night after confronting a knifeman allegedly seeking a victim at random.
The hero PC, in his 20s, was knifed in the shoulder as he confronted the suspect, who is said to have been roaming the streets with a large kitchen knife which he was threatening to use.
Police colleagues restrained the attacker who sustained a wound to his head from a baton during the violent struggle on Tuesday teatime in Enfield, North London.
A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and taken to hospital for treatment before being discharged back into police custody.
The shocking incident came on the eve of yesterday’s 40th anniversary of WPC Yvonne Fletcher being shot dead outside the Libyan People’s Bureau in central London.
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Because of the suspect’s injury, the Met will now have to refer the stabbing incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct under stringent accountability rules.
The Met’s own Directorate of Professional Standards have also been informed as a matter of course.
A colleague with enhanced medical training helped save the wounded officer by tying a tourniquet round his wound before an ambulance crew arrived.
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley yesterday visited the injured PC in hospital.
He was accompanied by Met assistant commissioner Matt Jukes, who said: “This officer has shown immense bravery apprehending a suspect, armed with a knife.
“Visiting him in hospital after he was injured, I was struck by his courage and humility.
“He didn’t want to talk about his own actions but to praise the professionalism of the police medic and other colleagues who provided him with vital first aid, and arrested the suspect.
“He was in good spirits and spoke with pride about the work his team does, protecting the public.
“And yesterday, he did just that – stepped forward to put himself between the public and a clearly dangerous individual.
“In doing so, he showed the best of the Met and reminded us of the daily challenges officers face while doing their duty to protect the public.
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“The officer and the Met would also like to thank colleagues in the NHS for their care.
“The local community can be reassured that the incident was dealt with swiftly and that a thorough investigation is now underway.”