Two Metropolitan Police officers who sustained serious stab wounds in separate incidents — one while off duty and shopping with his wife — are among those being recognised at a bravery ceremony held in London this evening.
The London Police Bravery Awards, established last year by the Metropolitan Police Federation, honours rank and file officers for acts of courage carried out in the line of duty and beyond.
PC Darren Attwood, 56, was not working when he encountered two men behaving suspiciously on a moped in a pedestrianised area of Luton town centre on a busy Saturday afternoon in November 2024. Families and children were nearby. Identifying himself as a police officer, he urged the pair to stop what they were doing. The response was immediate — one man instructed the other to kill him, and a machete was drawn
CCTV footage captured what followed: Attwood, with no protective equipment, attempting to use a large plastic barrier as a shield as the two men slashed at him repeatedly. He was stabbed in the chest before the pair drove off. He initially did not appreciate the seriousness of his wound and was reluctant to go to hospital until paramedics arrived at the scene.
The brothers responsible, Hannan Mahmood, 20, and Humar Mahmood, 19, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, robbery, possession of a bladed article and dangerous driving. They were each sentenced to seven years at Luton Crown Court. The presiding judge recognised Attwood’s actions with a High Sheriff’s Award.
Attwood has since spoken about the psychological toll of the attack, describing it as harder to recover from than his physical injuries. He has undergone counselling and has since trained as a trauma counsellor within the Met Police to support colleagues who have experienced similar ordeals.
Despite facing criticism on social media from people who questioned why he intervened, Attwood said he had no doubt it was the right thing to do. “You know when something’s not right,” he said. “You put a uniform on, you step up, you do what’s best.”
PC Jack Taylor is also being honoured at this evening’s ceremony, having been stabbed in the wrist while chasing a knife-wielding burglary suspect in Tower Hamlets in May 2023. Realising the man was still armed and posed a risk to members of the public and fellow officers, Taylor continued pursuing him despite his injury, helping to corner and restrain the suspect. The man was later sectioned. Taylor returned to work the following day and has previously received a Commissioner’s Commendation for his conduct.
Metropolitan Police Federation chair Paula Dodds paid tribute to both men, describing Attwood as having risked his life to protect the public, and Taylor as a courageous officer who helped apprehend a dangerous suspect even after sustaining a serious wound.
The London Bravery Awards ceremony takes place this evening.
