London policewoman stabbed: Two 15-year-old boys stabbed officer during knife raid, court hears

Two teenagers, 15, stabbed a police woman in the stomach as she tried to stop a corner shop robbery, a court heard today.

Allegedly armed with knives, the boys were accused of hiding their faces before attempting a raid on Pimlico Grocery in Chapter Street, Westminster.

Two plain clothed police officers - one male and one female - were attacked when they tried to detain two alleged thieves on Sunday.

The shopkeeper at Pimlico Grocery had managed to push the suspects out of the store shortly after 3.30pm, a judge at Highbury Corner Youth Court heard.

Despite being stabbed in the stomach the policewoman, named only as PC Clarke, chased them along Vauxhall Bridge Road.

Allegedly armed with knives, the boys were accused of hiding their faces before attempting a raid on Pimlico Grocery (pictured after the alleged attack) in Chapter Street, Westminster

Her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

The two youths are also accused of attacking the male officer and threatening a person with a blade.

They were remanded into youth detention accommodation until next Monday.

Beata Murphy, prosecuting, said PC Clarke and her colleague, PC Walker, were in their unmarked car when they witnessed the youths behaving suspiciously outside the shop.

The defendents allegedly chased store keeper Akmed Kumi behind the counter and drew their knives.

Mr Kumi jumped over the till and locked the door to the shop behind him, but the pair are said to have started kicking it off its hinges.

The shopkeeper at Pimlico Grocery had managed to push the suspects out of the store shortly after 3.30pm, a judge at Highbury Corner Youth Court (pictured) heard

'As this was going on officers Clarke and Walker saw the commotion, exited the vehicle and ran into the store,' said the prosecutor.

One of the youths managed to break free during a struggle but the other teenager 'struggled with the officers before stabbing PC Clarke in the abdomen,' said Ms Murphy.

'PC Clarke only then realised that she was stabbed then and stopped pursuing them. They ran into Pret and they were attempting to hide in the toilet. Two knives were found on them.'

The suspects were detained with the assistance of firearms officers. Police said the officer was taken to hospital, adding that her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening and she had since been discharged.

A forensic officer dusts a door frame at Pimlico Grocery on Sunday inside the police cordon

District Judge Julia Newton told the youths: 'You're both facing a charge of violence, that is section 18 (GBH with intent) and both face a charge of attempted robbery.

'You have both armed yourselves with knives and attempted to rob a shopkeeper, threatened him with a knife.

'Then attempted to escape and stabbed a female officer in the stomach.

'The officer wasn't wearing a stab vest.'

One of the 15-year-old suspects, from Barking, was charged with grievous bodily harm against a police officer and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

He was also charged with attempted robbery, threatening a person with a blade or sharply pointed article in a public place, assault by beating and criminal damage.

The second boy, from Hampshire, was charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker, attempted robbery and assault by beating.

In addition, he was charged with criminal damage and threatening a person with a blade or sharply pointed article in a public place.

They did not enter pleas, were remanded into youth detention accommodation and will appear at the same court on 12 October.

Chief Inspector Simon Brooker said: 'This shows precisely the kind of danger officers face every single day as they work to keep the public safe.

The injured police officer has been commended for her bravery during Sunday's incident

'For this officer to be stabbed on duty is unacceptable but, fortunately, she does not appear to be seriously injured.

'I applaud her bravery in responding to this call. This courage is typical of Met officers as they go about their duties.'

On Sunday, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: 'My thoughts and prayers are with this brave police officer who is receiving treatment in hospital after she was stabbed while on duty, intervening in a robbery, this afternoon.

'Every day our courageous police officers put themselves in harm's way to keep Londoners safe.

'I am sure all Londoners will join me in wishing her a speedy recovery.

'Attacks on our police are utterly unacceptable and perpetrators will feel the full force of the law.'

The trial continues.