Four police officers who tackled the Leytonstone tube knifeman have been nominated for a top bravery award.
Met PCs Gary Coburn, Ian Cornell, Jas Josson and John Cooper were shortlisted for this year’s Police Federation National Bravery Award after apprehending Muhiddin Mire during the 2015 attack.
Former Leytonstone minicab driver Mire slashed the throat of musician Lyle Zimmerman in the station’s underpass while shouting: “this is for Syria, for my Muslim brothers”.
The four officers had rushed to the scene and had to fire their Tasers three times before the 30-year-old knifeman could be brought to the ground and restrained.
Mire ran at two of the officers with his knife after dodging Taser twice, before he was finally stopped with a third discharge.
Once they had detained Mire, the officers ran to the platform to administer first aid to Mr Zimmerman, who has since made a recovery from his injuries.
Mire carried out the attack in December 2015
PC Cornell, who was unarmed during the incident, said: “Obviously we’ve been to calls with people with knives before, but never have I felt like someone wanted to do you harm.
“He came at us purposefully. I think if he’d got any closer he may well have had a go.”
Islamic State-obsessed schizophrenic Mire was jailed for life at the Old Bailey on July 29 last year after he was found guilty of attempted murder.
During his trial, the jury heard he had been suffering from paranoid psychosis at the time of the incident and believed he was seeing demons.
The would-be killer also had images of Fusilier Lee Rigby and British IS executioner Jihadi John saved on his phone, along with other material linked to the terrorist group.
Jonathan Rees QC, prosecuting, had described Mire's attempt to behead Mr Zimmerman as: “the act of an executioner”.
Mire recieved a life sentence after being found guilty of attempted murder
A video of the events, later circulated online, featured an onlooker who famously shouted: “You ain’t no Muslim, bruv" as Mire was detained by officers.
PC Coburn added: “We were just doing our job on the day, we were trying to help a guy who was injured who’s thankfully made a good recovery, and arrest the subject who was still in there trying to injure people.
“We’re massively honoured and privileged to be nominated for the award.”
The National Police Bravery Awards honour officers who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.
The four PCs will attend a reception and an evening awards ceremony later this month.
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