Off-duty PC praised for confronting armed robbers

An off-duty police officer who confronted two men during a knifepoint robbery has been called a hero by a deputy chief constable.

Hannan and Humar Mahmood, aged 20 and 18, attacked the Met Police PC with a machete when he intervened after they stole an e-bike on 2 November.

The officer, who was with his wife, used plastic barriers to try to stop the brothers from escaping outside Luton Point shopping centre.

The Mahmoods, of Belmont Road in the town, were later tracked down and arrested, and have admitted wounding with intent, dangerous driving, robbery and possession of offensive weapons.

Deputy chief constable of Bedfordshire Police Dan Vajzovic said the force owed "a debt of gratitude" to the officer.

"Without his heroic and selfless intervention, other innocent people may have come to serious harm and the dangerous Mahmood brothers may have been able to continue their criminal spree," he said.

The PC, who did not wish to be named, stood in the way of the masked duo as they tried to escape using the stolen bike.

He suffered injuries to his chest and arms but went on to recover and return to duty.

Hannan and Humar were tracked and arrested following extensive inquiries by detectives.

They admitted the grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving offences at Luton Crown Court on Monday.

Major crime unit officer Det Insp Caeva Taylor said the defendants "were willing to risk killing" the PC to make their getaway.

"The Mahmood brothers showed utter disregard for the lives of those around them, robbing an innocent victim, waving around a dangerous weapon and erratically driving an electric bike in a pedestrian area on a busy Saturday afternoon.

"The brazen violence they showed has no place on the streets of Bedfordshire."

Hannan and Humar will be sentenced on 23 June.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.