An off-duty Metropolitan Police officer who was slashed with a machete while stepping in to stop a robbery in Luton town centre has been praised for his extraordinary bravery.
PC Darren Attwood, who was in Luton with his wife at the time, was seriously injured as he intervened in a knifepoint robbery carried out by two brothers near The Mall on 2 November last year.
Despite having no protective equipment and being out of uniform, PC Attwood acted instinctively when he saw Hannan and Humar Mahmood robbing a man of his electric bike.
He stepped into their path and tried to stop them using plastic barriers — all while being violently attacked with machetes.
Reflecting on the moment, PC Attwood said: “There is a saying that the police are never off duty and in my case at this time, that was true. The victim of the robbery didn’t go into town to get robbed, I didn’t go into town expecting to be stabbed, we were just doing our normal day to day activities. Thankfully we managed to stop someone from doing something bad to someone else.”
He suffered injuries to his arms and chest, which were thankfully not life-threatening.
The Mahmood brothers, of Belmont Road, Luton, were sentenced this week to seven years in prison, with an extended five years on licence. Both had pleaded guilty to robbery, GBH with intent, dangerous driving and possession of offensive weapons.
Bedfordshire Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Dan Vajzovic said: “As police officers, we have a duty to protect others and this does often places us at the risk of harm in our daily duties.
“PC Attwood exemplifies the very best of the professionalism and courage shown by so many in our service. He didn’t think twice about stepping in to protect others. As an off-duty officer he had no protective equipment and without a thought to his own safety he set about doing all in his power to ensure those responsible were apprehended and prevented from harming others. I reiterate my thanks to PC Attwood on behalf of my force and the residents of Bedfordshire. We are extremely lucky to have him as a colleague in the police service.”
The incident happened not far from the spot where Bedfordshire Police officer PC Jon Henry was tragically killed in 2007 while confronting a knife attacker in Luton town centre. His murder remains a solemn reminder of the risks police officers face daily.
In sentencing the brothers at Luton Crown Court, Judge Hunter KC thanked PC Attwood for his actions and recommended he receive a High Sheriff’s Award.
Detective Inspector Caeva Taylor from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: “PC Attwood’s bravery in the face of grave danger undoubtedly allowed us to gather enough evidence to identify and bring to justice the Mahmood brothers, who I firmly believe would have gone on to commit further violent crimes. Their chosen lifestyle meant they sought to gain from fear, intimidation and the brandishing of weapons, showing no regard for others.
“PC Attwood was off-duty at the time of the offence and courageously stepped in to prevent any further harm to the public, risking his own life to do so.
“The Mahmoods now face a lengthy prison sentence and I am pleased that they are no longer free to carry out wanton violence on Bedfordshire’s streets.”
Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said: “PC Attwood was off duty, on his own and without his personal protective equipment. But his instincts told him something wasn’t right so he bravely went to investigate and confront criminals armed with machetes. It is thanks to his courage and to the subsequent work of Bedfordshire Police that two violent offenders are now behind bars. The public are safer as a result.”
Bedfordshire Police have released a video interview with PC Attwood and Deputy Chief Constable Vajzovic, reflecting on the incident and the courage it takes to run towards danger. Watch the full interview here
