Police officers stabbed in Kingsbury knife attack commended for their bravery

Christopher Haughton has been detained indefinitely (Image: Archant)

Three officers who were stabbed by a knifeman in Kingsbury have been commended for their bravery by the Met Commissioner.

PCs Stephen Barker, Tom Harding and Alistair Hinchliff received their awards from Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe for the heroic actions during an attack by Christopher Haughton.

In November 2011, the officers were called to a disturbance in Kenton Road, Kenton, involving Haughton.

The 33-year-old, who was living in Milford Gardens, Wembley, as part of his bail conditions for an earlier offence, bit PC Barker and hurled masonry at him.

He then fled on foot to nearby Kingsbury Road where he ran into a butchers shop, armed himself with a 12inch knife and attacked all three and a fourth officer.

PC Harding was knifed several times in the stomach and chest and when PC Hinchliff came to his aid he was stabbed on the left side of his face penetrating his mouth.

PC Andy Robb was also stabbed twice in the leg.

Haughton was stopped by PC Barker as he tried to attack another officer.

The trio were in a group of 21 people who received awards during the Commissioner’s Commendation Ceremony at New Scotland Yard today for their exceptional commitment to keeping London safe.

PC Harding said: “I owe my life to the bravery of my colleagues. I cannot praise them enough for their courage in what was a harrowing ordeal. I believe they represent the finest officers of the police service.

“It is an honour to be recognised amongst them for the small part I played in the events that lead to my injuries.”

Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe said: “These officers are all outstanding and I am very proud of what they do and have done for the Metropolitan Police. These stories demonstrate how they put their lives on the line in order to protect the public.

“Everyday officers are out in communities, attending emergency situations and going to great lengths to ensure the streets of London are safe. These commendations are a small way for me to recognise and thank some of those officers for their exceptional actions.”

Haughton, a paranoid schizophrenic, was convicted of two counts of attempted murder, of wounding PC Andrew Robb with intent and attempting to wound PC Haque with intent, as well as three counts of causing actual bodily harm and common assault.

He was convicted of causing actual bodily harm to PCs Charlton and Barker in relation to an incident in Streatham the month before the Kingsbury attack.

He was ordered to be detained in a mental hospital under section 37 of the Mental Health Act with a restriction order without limit of time.