A Metropolitan Police officer who was stabbed while tackling a dangerous knife wielding suspect – but still gave chase and caught the culprit - has won a London Police Bravery Award.
At around 3pm on 23 May 2023, PC Jack Taylor and colleagues responded to a report of a burglary and assault on a member of the public in Tower Hamlets.
They found the victim at his property, bleeding from the head, and administered first aid.
PC Taylor’s colleagues then spotted the suspect outside and gave chase.
PC Taylor and another colleague jumped into a police van and drove off so they could corner the suspect. They suddenly saw him, and PC Taylor got out of the van to chase him.
He recalled: “I was getting closer towards him when I suddenly realised he had a knife in his hand. I instinctively put my hands up to block myself, but at the same time tried to disarm him. But it was a bit of a shock, because I wasn't expecting to see the knife – I had to try to stop him from attacking me or anyone else.
“I've come across violent incidents before, but never to that severity of being with someone coming towards me with a knife.”
The man suddenly lunged and slashed PC Taylor, leaving him with a two-inch cut across the wrist. Despite his injury, the officer chased after the man. He saw he was heading back to the victim’s address, so he called over the radio that the man had a knife, and that his colleague should consider using her Taser.
The Taser didn’t work, so the colleague joined PC Taylor in running after the man, and they managed to corner him and get handcuffs on him.
PC Taylor said: “That whole time, he was running around with the knife, with multiple members of the public nearby. You can't let him just get away, because if he's going to attack me, he will have no hesitation in attacking a member of the public.”
PC Taylor went to hospital to get his knife wound treated; it was only centimetres away from an artery. He insisted on going back to work the next day.
In January 2025, the suspect went to court and pleaded guilty to several offences including actual bodily harm. He was given a Sentence 37 hospital order.
PC Taylor received a Commissioner’s Commendation for his actions. He said: “I'm proud that I put the message over the radio to tell my colleague that there was a knife, and to actually follow through and detain a man who was definitely dangerous to society.”
Paula Dodds, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: “What a tenacious and courageous officer Jack is. He bravely confronted a knife-wielding man, protecting members of the public without fear for his own safety.
“And let’s remember that despite the serious injuries inflicted, he still gave chase and helped catch the culprit. Well done Jack; this is policing of the highest order.”
PC Taylor will attend the London Police Bravery Awards 2026 on Thursday 26 March.
At the event three overall winners will be announced, and they will attend the National Police Federation Bravery Awards in July.
The Gold sponsors of the London Police Bravery Awards are Police Friendly & Metfriendly, Axon, and Officer Insurance Cover by Everywhen.
The Silver sponsors are Slater and Gordon Lawyers and JMW Solicitors.
The Bronze sponsors are Police Mortgages, Serve and Protect Credit Union, Accord, THB Solicitors, the National Police Healthcare Scheme, Uniform Mortgages, Addept Insurance, No1 CopperPot Credit Union, No5 Chambers, Blackfords and Penningtons Manches Cooper.
