PC Stuart Outten Wins Top Bravery Award After Machete Attack
PC Stuart Outten is one of three heroic Met Police officers honoured at the 25th Police Federation Bravery Awards on 12 October. Alongside PC Andrew Wienand and PC Darren Jenkins, Outten’s incredible courage landed him the coveted award after surviving a savage machete assault during a routine stop in Leyton.
Machete Attack in Leyton: A Fight for Life
On a typical night shift in August 2019, PC Outten signalled a van with no insurance to pull over. The driver jumped out, shouted threats, then tried to drive off. Outten stopped him, but the man punched him twice and suddenly attacked with a two-foot machete, slashing deep into his head and arm.
Despite severe injuries—six deep head wounds and fractures to his skull and fingers—Outten managed to fire his Taser twice, stunning the attacker. He shouted “machete, machete” to alert colleagues and was rushed to hospital. Remarkably, Outten has since returned to duty with the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command.
“What happened that day will always stay with me,” Outten said. “As soon as I realised I’d been attacked with a machete, I knew I needed to stop him or he would kill me. I’ve been Taser trained since 2013 and luckily my training kicked in. If the second shot hadn’t worked, I’d be dead. Thankfully, it did.”
He praised colleagues, management, family, friends, and members of the public who helped that evening.
Off-Duty Hero PC Wienand Scares Off Armed Thieves
PC Andrew Wienand sprang into action off-duty in May 2019. While in bed at his Barnes home, he spotted a jewellery shop window smashed and five thieves trying to break in. Wearing only his boxers, Wienand rushed outside and challenged the gang. A pickaxe narrowly missed him, but undeterred, he scared the suspects off.
The raiders fled on mopeds, dropping their loot thanks to Wienand’s fearless intervention.
PC Darren Jenkins Takes Down Suspect Despite Injuries
In January 2020, PC Darren Jenkins chased an 18-year-old suspect through Leyton gardens after a moped crash. The man hid in a bush and attacked Jenkins with punches, smashing his head against a patio and breaking his nose. Despite the brutal assault, Jenkins kept up the pursuit. The suspect was arrested later that day.
Police Federation Hails Met’s Brave Officers
Police Federation National Chair John Apter presented the bravery award to PC Outten and praised all nominees. “We have the finest police officers in the world—dedicated public servants who put themselves in danger to protect others,” he said. “They are everyday heroes who deserve every recognition.”
- PC Stuart Outten survived a machete attack after stopping an uninsured van
- PC Andrew Wienand thwarted jewellery thieves while off-duty in Barnes
- PC Darren Jenkins battled through injuries to catch a suspect in Leyton
