A pair of PCs who put their own lives at risk to protect colleagues and the public, trying to detain a knifeman who had stabbed both of them in a frenzied attack, have been nominated for the national Police Bravery Awards 2024.

In the early hours on 16 September 2022, MPS PCs Alannah Mulhall and Joe Gerrard were responding to a call at Leicester Square where a male had been arrested for spiking and a victim was being cared for.

PC Mulhall along with her colleague heard a commotion on the street and went to investigate. At this point they were confronted by a man armed with a knife.

The male stabbed PC Mulhall through her arm – the wound was so deep it almost went through the other side.

Despite the serious injury, she remained calm and composed and was able to call for assistance from colleagues. On their arrival the man was still armed with a knife and multiple attempts to detain him failed as Taser, PAVA spray and baton strikes did not subdue him.

Focusing on keeping members of the public safe, PC Mulhall and her colleagues, including PC Gerrard, stood their ground and ensured the crowd stayed back from the dangerous situation before backup arrived.

The suspect now appeared fixated on trying to cause harm to PC Gerrard and despite further attempts to detain him, he lunged at him stabbing him five times causing injuries to his neck, arm and puncturing his lung.

It was only through the work of paramedics that the chest injury did not have more serious consequences.

Both officers were taken to hospital where they underwent surgery for their injuries. Both returned to duty in 2023.

Since the incident, PCs Mulhall and Gerrard have played a significant role in operational learning and have had to re-live what occurred on numerous occasions to assist in reducing the potential future likelihood of a similar incident occurring.

On 8 December 2023 the suspect received life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years.

Metropolitan Police Federation Chair Rick Prior said: “Both PC Mulhall and PC Gerrard showed extreme bravery in trying to detain a dangerous suspect, putting their own lives at risk to protect colleagues and the public. If it hadn’t been for their quick actions, there may well have been fatalities.

“Both officers were very seriously injured, and it was only through the work of paramedics that PC Gerrard’s chest injury did not have more serious consequences.

“Both officers received judge’s commendations, and I want to add my own thanks to PC Mulhall and PC Gerrard for their immense courage."

Inspector Michael Richards said: “Both Joe and Alannah showed extreme bravery in trying to detain a suspect, putting their own lives at risk to protect colleagues and the public. There is no doubt that if it were not for quick actions by colleagues from AW BCU and MO19 then the worst-case scenario would have occurred.”

Superintendent Jill Horsfall said: “Alannah and Joseph showed amazing courage and tenacity in the way they responded to the incident which was violent and unfolded in a matter of seconds.

“Thanks to their actions and the actions of the other officers a violent man was removed from our streets and prevented from causing further harm.

“My congratulations also go to the other officers who aided Alannah and Joseph who also represent the finest of police officers. They deserve every bit of recognition they receive, and I am extremely proud they wear the Met uniform.”