A team of officers acted swiftly to confront a violent offender and provide life-saving aid to seriously injured colleagues.

June 2025, police were called to an address on Hatherley Road, following reports of a domestic incident involving a suspect who had become increasingly volatile towards his mother. Fearing his aggressive behaviour, she had asked him to leave via text message, prompting a hostile response. He entered her room, grabbed her and shook her.

A neighbour, alerted by the disturbance, intervened and was able to help the mother leave the property safely before police arrived.

Officers attended the address with the intention of arresting the suspect. PCs A and Parmenter remained at the property with the victim while PCs Gregory and Lodge left the immediate area. PCs A and Parmenter accompanied the mother back into the address to collect belongings, at which point the suspect returned.

He immediately displayed aggression towards the officers, becoming threatening and abusive. Attempts by PCs A and Parmenter to de-escalate the situation were unsuccessful, and PC A moved to arrest him.

During the arrest attempt, the suspect struck PC A to the side of the head with a closed fist, causing her to fall to the floor unconscious. She was observed to be agonal breathing.

He then turned his attention to PC Parmenter, delivering multiple punches to her head. She sustained significant facial injuries, including deep lacerations and heavy bleeding, before also falling unconscious. While she was on the ground, she was subjected to further violence, including at least one kick to the face.

The suspect then returned to PC A, continuing the assault by stamping on her head and delivering further blows, causing severe injuries. As PC Parmenter attempted to regain consciousness and intervene, she was struck again.

Both officers were left unconscious and defenceless, having been subjected to a sustained and brutal attack.

PCs Ben Gregory and Jake Lodge were the first to respond to urgent calls for assistance. Recognising the severity of the situation, they immediately entered the address, fully aware that the threat remained active and the extent of the danger was unknown.

Inside, they were met with a scene of extreme violence, with both officers lying seriously injured and large amounts of blood throughout the room.

Despite the ongoing risk, PCs Gregory and Lodge moved quickly to locate and detain the suspect, preventing any further harm.

They then turned their attention to their colleagues, administering urgent first aid. PC Gregory, who is training as a public order medic, utilised his medical knowledge to manage the situation.

Over the radio, he conveyed the seriousness of the incident, stating: “Officer unconscious and unresponsive, it’s bad, it’s really bad,” while continuing to provide care.

PC Gregory opened the airway of PC A, who was unconscious and not breathing effectively, allowing her to breathe and stabilising her condition until paramedics arrived. His actions were critical in preserving her life.

Throughout the incident, both officers demonstrated control, clarity of thought and a strong focus on protecting life in extremely challenging circumstances. Once medical teams arrived, PC Gregory stepped back to allow further treatment, having played a key role in sustaining his colleague.

The actions of PCs Gregory and Lodge in entering a dangerous environment, detaining a violent offender and delivering life-saving first aid ensured that their colleagues received immediate care at a critical moment.

PS Karen Cundy demonstrated exceptional leadership and compassion in the aftermath of a horrific assault on two police officers. While managing operational demands, she prioritised the welfare of her team, providing reassurance and support to injured colleagues, their families and the wider workforce.

Over the following months, PS Cundy went above and beyond her duties, dedicating countless additional hours to ensuring officers received the care and specialist support they needed. Her unwavering commitment, empathy and resilience helped guide her team through an incredibly challenging period, fostering unity and recovery following one of the most serious assaults on police officers seen by the courts in recent years.

Their response reflects the highest standards of policing, showing professionalism, teamwork and an unwavering commitment to the safety of others.

Metropolitan Police Federation Chair Paula Dodds said: “Adrienne and her colleague displayed outstanding bravery and selfless dedication during this brutal attack. Despite sustaining serious injuries, both officers tried to protect one another, showing exceptional teamwork under pressure.

“Benjamin and Jake demonstrated impressive quick thinking, courage and composure to detain the suspect and save their colleagues’ lives.

“Karen supported the whole team on the day and through the difficult months that followed, prioritising their wellbeing and making a real difference to them and their families.

“We are so proud of them all.”

Detective Chief Superintendent James Derham, who leads policing in south east London, said:

“I would like to commend PC A and PC Parmenter for their exceptional bravery, resilience and professionalism in the face of a truly harrowing and violent domestic incident. 

“They showed immense courage in confronting a dangerous offender and did everything possible to protect one another despite sustaining serious injuries.

“PCs Gregory and Lodge demonstrated remarkable composure and decisive action, entering an unknown and high-risk environment to detain the suspect and provide lifesaving care to their colleagues.

“This highlights the constant bravery of officers who step forward each day never knowing what the next call will bring or what challenges they might face.”