London Police Say Officer Injured While Taking On Attackers With His Baton

A British Transport Police officer who was stabbed multiple times during the attacks in London on Saturday night has been praised for his bravery.

In a statement released by BTP on Sunday, Chief Constable Paul Crowther said the unidentified officer confronted the attackers while armed only with a baton. He sustained injuries to his head, face and leg, but is currently in stable condition at an area hospital.

“Having visited the officer in hospital shortly after he was admitted for treatment, I was able to hear his account of what happened last night,” Crowther said. “It became clear that he showed enormous courage in the face of danger, as did many others who were at the scene and rushed to help.”

Around 10 p.m. Saturday, three suspects inside a white van mowed down pedestrians on the London Bridge. Then, armed with long knives, they fled on foot and began stabbing people in Borough Market, one of the city’s most popular dining locations.

Seven people were killed and nearly 50 injured in the attacks.

The on-duty transport officer, who was outside London Bridge station when the attacks began, joined the BTP in 2015.

“For an officer who only joined us less than two years ago, the bravery he showed was outstanding and makes me extremely proud,” Crowther said.

Many others also rushed to help the victims of the attacks. Tales of heroism described patrons throwing glasses, chairs and bottles at the suspects. Cafe Brood restaurant owner Mark Stembridge said he instructed staff to quickly gather patrons off outdoor balcony areas and move them away from the doors. Florin Morariu, a Romanian chef at a local bakery, told The Associated Press that he hit one attacker “around the head” with a bread basket.

Using the hashtag #SofaForLondon, Londoners took to social media to provide stranded people with a place to stay. Taxi drivers gave free rides to those near the affected areas, and local restaurants, hotels and places of worship provided food and shelter, the BBC reported.

Entrepreneur Phaldip Singh tweeted a map showing the location of Sikh temples offering refuge.

In a gunbattle that involved eight officers firing approximately 50 bullets, the police shot dead all three attackers. One bystander also sustained a “non-critical” gunshot wound, Reuters reported.

Since Saturday night, authorities have arrested 12 people in the Barking area of East London. According to AP, officers performed raids early Monday morning at two more addresses and detained “a number” of people suspected of having some connection to the attacks.