A night for bravery

A police officer who confronting a group of ten men who assaulted a man and two women and two police officers who tackled a man brandishing a knife in a mosque have been named as the first joint recipients of the National Police Bravery Award.

The awards, organised by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), took place in central London on Tuesday (October 27) and were attended by senior figures from across policing and government.

PC Winston Mugarura, of the Metropolitan Police Service, and PC Adam Koch and PC Jean Stevens, of West Midlands Police, were presented with the award by Home Secretary Theresa May.

PC Mugarura won the award for confronting ten men during a vicious attack on another man in Charing Cross, central London, while he was off-duty.

He managed to get the injured man to safety and then, despite the potential dangers to himself, gave chase to a suspect and detained him. The group also injured two women as they left the crime scene. However, PC Mugarura positively identified three other suspected group members.

Chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation John Tully said: “PC Mugarura was off-duty, yet he put himself into a dangerous situation to protect others. He deserves this award for his courage in confronting a group of ten assailants.”

PC Adam Koch and PC Jean Stevens disarmed a mentally-ill man who had stabbed three worshippers at a Birmingham mosque.

The man, who had mental health issues, pulled a commando-style knife on the officers. The officers deployed Taser in response to the threat, which had no effect.

PC Adam Koch suffered stab wounds to his chest and stomach during the confrontation. Despite this, PC Koch and PC Stevens managed to wrestle the man to the ground and disarm him.

Birmingham East police commander, Chief Superintendent Alex Murray, said: “This was an exceptional piece of police work. PC Koch rushed at the attacker and put his own safety on the line to protect others. He suffered serious injuries but his actions undoubtedly prevented other worshippers being hurt and potentially killed.”

Two Cambridgeshire Constabulary officers who restrained a man a man wielding a range of weapons, including a knife, shears, a saw and garden fork, won the eastern region award.

PC Janine Hagger and PC Pete Moulton were called to an incident where a 21-year-old man was believed to be in possession of a bladed weapon.

As the officers attempted to restrain the man – who they believed had mental health issues – he slashed at PC Moulton, who suffered a 6cm laceration across his neck.

The man then continued to attempt to slash, stab and hit the officers.

During the struggle, PC Moulton was also bitten three times on his left arm. PC Hagger was punched in the face and received a laceration to her left little finger and ring finger as she tried to disarm the man.

Christopher Kouwenberg, from Hertfordshire Constabulary, won the south east region award after chasing down a pair of armed gunmen who had kidnapped and threated to kill another man.

PC Kouwenberg, who was shot at more than five times while pursuing one of the suspects on foot, moved an elderly bystander to safety and rescued the kidnap victim – who was tied up in the back of a car.

He continued to give chase after the shots were fired until he became aware of a number people in the area and stopped due to concerns for their safety.

Hertfordshire Police Federation general secretary Vojislav Mihailovic said: “The swift, brave and selfless actions of PC Kouwenberg ensured members of the public were not injured or killed, in a chase that was dangerous, following a reckless gunman.

“The five shots that were aimed towards him could easily have resulted in a tragedy. He richly deserves this nomination.”

A Merseyside Police officer, who disarmed and arrested a robber armed with a handgun, won the north west award.

While out on patrol, PC Paul Kirwin saw a man committing an armed robbery in the Litherland area of Merseyside.

PC Kirwin tackled the man, wres