Inspector honoured for bravery

A police inspector who was seriously injured when he saved two brothers from a knife attack in north London has been recognised for his bravery.

Inspector Philip Perry, 47, was off duty in south Harrow when he heard screams and found the brothers being attacked by three men in an alleyway.

He shouted that he was a police officer and stood in front of the brothers, one of whom had been stabbed in the head, face and arms.

When the attackers ran, he chased after them but was slashed across the hand as he tried to make an arrest.

Severed tendons

The knife severed his finger tendons and left him needing 22 stitches.

Hercule Poirot actor David Suchet presented Mr Perry with one of the Police Federation's annual bravery awards at the Dorchester Hotel in central London on Tuesday.

Federation chairman Jan Berry said: "Since he was off duty when the attack happened, he could easily have turned a blind eye but he intervened in the most heroic way and probably saved a man's life."

But Mr Perry said any officer could face the same situation and it was an award for all officers.

"I'm deeply honoured by this but I'm also very humbled because lots of other people have done something very special and brave," he said.