Met Police Duo Named UK’s Bravest After Bloody Leicester Square Knife Attack
Two Metropolitan Police officers, PCs Alannah Mulhall and Joe Gerrard, have been crowned the bravest cops in the UK at the Police Bravery Awards. Both required surgery after being stabbed while responding to a violent incident in Leicester Square.
Heroes of Leicester Square
Mulhall and Gerrard were called to a scene where a man had been arrested for spiking, and a victim was receiving care. Suddenly, they heard a commotion and went to investigate, only to be confronted by a knife-wielding attacker. PC Mulhall suffered a severe stab wound through her arm, nearly piercing straight through. Despite the injury, she stayed calm and called for backup.
When reinforcements arrived, the attacker was still armed and resisted arrest fiercely. Taser, PAVA spray, and baton strikes all failed to subdue him. During the struggle, PC Gerrard was stabbed five times, suffering wounds to his neck, arm, and a punctured lung.
Other Courageous Officers Honoured
- SC Kyle Scott (Suffolk Police): Bravely rescued a woman from freezing North Sea waters.
- PS Shannon Murphy, PS Lee Baker, and PC Thomas Simmonds (West Mercia Police): Pulled a trapped woman from a submerged car amid floodwaters.
- PS David Gibbs, PC Scott Thomson, PC Tim Clarkson, PC Emma Davies, and PC Nathan Fulton (Hampshire Police): Successfully detained a man carrying an explosive device.
Regional Winners Spotlighted
- Greater Manchester: PS Marc Foster, PS Tim Ansell, PC Marcus Wolstencroft
- Cleveland: PC Holly Grey, PC Sam Handley, PC Maverick Reddington, PC Rachael Dack, PC Cara Crosby, plus two unnamed officers
- West Mercia: PS Lee Baker, PS Shannon Murphy, PC Thomas Simmonds
- Lincolnshire: One anonymous officer
- Hampshire: PS David Gibbs, PC Scott Thomson, PC Tim Clarkson, PC Emma Davies, PC Nathan Fulton
- Devon and Cornwall: PC Zach Printer plus one anonymous officer
- North Wales: PS Dylan Thomas, PC Rachael Roberts, PC Robert Burgess, PC Dion Hughes, PC Robert Williamson
Police Federation Praises Officers’ Bravery
Tiff Lynch, Acting Chairwoman of the Policing Federation for England and Wales, saluted the officers’ heroism:
“Policing is always under the spotlight, and today the dedication and commitment to duty is highlighted. Every officer nominated is a winner; every story recounting their heroism; outstanding acts of bravery recognized.”
She added: “Their actions of going above and beyond the call of duty are truly inspiring. To the families who support our police officers, we thank you; and to all our nominees, we are proud to celebrate and pay tribute to your exceptional bravery.”
The awards ceremony was a stark reminder of the courage displayed by police officers across the UK, who risk their lives daily to keep the public safe.
