Knife-wielding man jailed after 'heroic' off-duty officers intervene to stop violent attack

A knife-wielding man has been jailed after a group of off-duty officers rushed to intervene as he attacked another man in south London.

Joseph Jimenez, 20 (14.08.03), of Baxter Road N1, appeared at Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday, 14 February having previously pleaded guilty.

He was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment for possession of a bladed article and four months' imprisonment for affray. The sentences will run concurrently at a young offenders' institute.

Detective Inspector Jon Summers said: "The team had finished a long, hard week at work and were enjoying some well-earned down time together when the events unfolded.

"They had been off-duty and were without any form of protective equipment such as batons or PAVA spray, or a police radio. Still they intervened, working tactically together in coordinating their approach to close off the suspect's possible escape route, and swiftly arrested him.

"The heroism shown by these officers is nothing short of exceptional. They placed themselves at real risk of serious injury in order to prevent serious harm and to apprehend an offender. It is actions such as these that demonstrate the true heart and soul of the Met.

"They are a credit to themselves, the unit and MPS as a whole."

On 21 July 2023, officers from the Gangs & Pro-Active Team in the Central South Command Unit were out socialising after work together at a bar in Elephant Park, SE17 when they noticed a violent altercation unfolding nearby.

Two groups of males had been involved in a skirmish when one was struck over the head and a dog was set on him. Another male was standing over him, repeatedly trying to slash him with a large knife.

The officers immediately sprang into action, rushing to separate the attacker from the victim. On seeing the officers the suspect threw the knife at them and attempted to run away but was swiftly arrested.

Officers administered first aid to the victim and he was taken to hospital for treatment for a head injury. The officers' fast action likely prevented him from sustaining any more serious injuries.

An investigation was launched. Police recovered CCTV and witness accounts which would later leave the suspect with no choice but to plead guilty.

He was charged on 22 July 2023 and remanded in custody.

Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, lead for policing in Southwark and Lambeth, added: "While we expect officers to protect the public, we expect this of them whilst on duty - with proper protective equipment and support. These officers had none of this equipment and were not aware of whether support was on the way or not. They had no way of knowing who had weapons or how many. They simply responded to what they could see - had they not acted, a member of the public may have been caused serious or potentially fatal injuries.

"On seeing the spontaneous intervention of the off duty officers all other protagonists fled the scene and a large scale public disorder incident was averted.

"We are incredibly proud of them."