Family ‘incredibly proud’ of police officer’s bravery in Leyton machete attack
The family of a police officer injured in a horrifying machete attack in Leyton earlier this week have said they are “incredibly proud” of his bravery.
PC Stuart Outten is in a stable condition in hospital recovering from his injuries after Tasering his attacker, who stabbed him in the head and body.
Read more: Enough is enough, says police chief after Leyton machete stabbing
“We are incredibly proud of the bravery Stuart showed during the incident,” Outten’s family said.
“His injuries could have been fatal and we are thankful that he is stable and recovering in hospital with his loved ones around him.
“We have been overwhelmed by the amount of support we have received from the public, Stuart’s colleagues and the wider policing family.”
Outten, 28, was one of two uniformed officers who tried to stop a van they believed was being driven without insurance when they spotted it near Leyton High Road earlier this week.
The driver became “quite aggressive”, detective chief superintendent Richard Tucker said, before engaging in “a violent struggle”.
Suspect Muhammed Rodwan, 56, of Villiers Close in Luton, has been charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
He appeared in custody at Thames Magistrates’ Court today before being remanded ahead od a trial at the Old Bailey on 6 September.
Outten remains in hospital “in a serious but stable condition”, police have said.
“We are so grateful to the London Ambulance Service paramedics and hospital staff for their care and compassion,” his family said.
They added that he joined the Met straight from school and that he “loves being a police officer and protecting the public”.
Read more: DEBATE: Should we be worried about police use of facial recognition?
“Although there are risks associated with his job, we would never have expected something like this to happen,” the family added.
They also asked the media not to publish images showing Outten’s injuries or of him recovering in hospital “at what is already an extremely distressing time for us as a family”.