A man is in custody after attacking a woman with a samurai sword in north London, with police claiming an unarmed officer carried out the arrest.

PC foils sword attack

The Metropolitan police said it responded to reports of a woman being attacked near the junction between Holloway Road and Mercers Road in the early hours of Christmas Eve.

A sergeant from Islington arrived and was confronted by a 25-year-old man wielding a samurai sword, while a woman lay on the floor bleeding heavily.

After demanding he drop the weapon the officer was chased down the street by the man, who was attempting to strike him with the sword, Scotland Yard said.



But the officer managed to turn and step inside the sword’s arc before forcing the man to the ground and arresting him, police said.

The victim, a 22-year-old woman from Italy, is in hospital in a serious but not life-threatening condition with wounds to her legs, arms and face. Her parents flew in today to be with her in hospital.

Police also recovered from the suspect, who is still in custody, a bag containing a crossbow, other samurai swords, hunting knives, and gas masks.

Detective Superintendent Steve Wallace, said: ‘This was a vicious unprovoked stranger attack on a defenceless woman and if it had not been for the officers bravery and quick thinking the woman and other members of the public could have been killed.

‘It takes a very brave officer to tackle a man who you know wants to inflict serious injuries to you with a samurai sword.

‘Courage such as this is above and beyond the call of duty and I can’t commend the officer highly enough.’

DS Wallace continued: ‘The fact that the officer was unarmed and alone when he tackled the man only underlines his bravery.

‘He recognised the threat posed by this man and in a conscious act, positioned himself between the suspect and the public to prevent anyone else being seriously injured.’

He added: ‘Thankfully, this type of incident is rare in London but the public should be reassured that our officers are willing to put themselves in danger to protect the public.’

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