Quick-thinking teenagers help officer (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Quick-thinking teenagers help officer

8:52am Friday 4th January 2008 in Swindon

THREE teenagers have been praised for their quick thinking during yesterday's knife attack on a police officer.

Liam Harper, Dean Atkinson and Lewis Burberry were celebrating Liam's 19th birthday in the Liden Arms when they saw a man being chased by officers.

The trio ran outside to find one of the officers being stabbed repeatedly in the head.

Liam, from Eldene, dialled 999 for an ambulance before helping police pin down the suspect who they were struggling to control.

Liam said: "There was blood everywhere, it was completely unreal.

"There were people hitting out everywhere. It was difficult to see what was happening, but the guy with the knife was just lashing out everywhere.

"I only came out for a drink and a game of pool with my mates."

Dean, from Liden, said he was horrified to see the officer covered in blood.

The 19-year-old said: "The other coppers pulled the guy with the knife off the injured PC who was yelling that his leg hurt.

"He was yelling so much about his leg but when he took off his hat he was covered in blood - I am not sure he realised straight away."

Upfield teenager Lewis, 18, said they did all they could.

He said: "We're not exactly good Samaritans, we have been in trouble in the past but a stabbing is a stabbing and we did what we could to help.

"We all got hit a bit with truncheons flying about but in the end they got the bloke with the knife - I hope the policeman's all right."

Acting Chief Supt Kevin Maidment praised the lads for their bravery.

He said: "I certainly commend anyone who aided the officers during this incident, especially those who made the call for the emergency services.

"We obviously don't know everything that took place in those few minutes but anything that helped calm the situation is greatly appreciated."

Mr Maidment added that the officers involved in the fracas were recovering from the ordeal, which left even the more experienced PCs shaken.

He said: "This kind of thing doesn't happen around here very often so understandably it was quite a shocking incident for the officers involved."