Stabbed Birmingham mosque policeman tells of "commando knife" attack

The officer, named for the first time today as Pc Adam Koch, suffered multiple stab wounds when he confronted a suspect who had stabbed three members of the congregation at Madrassa Qasim Ul Uloom mosque on Saturday night.

Speaking from his hospital bed-side this morning, Pc Koch, 31, described the dramatic encounter in detail.

Coincidentally, Pc Koch is due to collect a police bravery award on Thursday for an incident in May last year in which he and three colleagues rescued a critically injured toddler from a gas-filled flat.

On Saturday, Pc Koch and police partner Jean Stevens arrived on the scene, in Ward End, four minutes after police received reports of a man attacking mosque members at 11pm.

Pc Koch said: "He charged towards me with the knife.

"I can remember falling to the floor and wrestling with the man and he tried thrusting the knife into my back. I'm waiting to see the damage to my stab vest as I'm convinced it's helped save my life.

"I managed to grab hold of his wrist and eventually disarm him; it was only then that my partner told me I'd been stabbed and blood was running from my shirt. I didn't feel anything at the time: the adrenaline took over and my focus was purely on stopping this man causing any more damage.

"Thankfully my injuries weren't as bad as they could have been and I hope to be back on the streets within a few weeks."

PC Koch, from Yardley Wood, who recently marked six years with West Midlands Police, thanked worshippers who ran to his aid and bravely helped pin the attacker down.

He said: "I owe those people a massive debt of thanks…if it wasn't for their help, bravely running towards a man they'd already seen brandishing a large knife, I may not be here today.

"As soon as I'm back on my feet I intend to visit the mosque and ask the imam to pass on my gratitude to the worshippers who put their own safety in jeopardy to assist me.

"In the end it was a great community effort to overpower the man and arrest him."

Pc Stevens recalled today: "Adam fell to the floor; I saw the wound and said 'Adam, you've been stabbed' and he immediately turned white – I thought he was going to die.

"At this point I'd still not got the suspect cuffed and I screamed out for help – it was absolutely horrific. If it wasn't for Adam I think a lot of people, including myself, wouldn't be here today."

The suspect, a 32-year-old man from the Washwood Heath area, was today being held at a secure mental health facility until he is deemed fit for questioning on suspicion of attempted murder.

Two of the three injured worshippers were taken to hospital: a 28-year-old man who suffered multiple stab wounds and a 36-year-old man who had suffered a single stab wound to the thigh.

A third victim suffered a hand injury and is now recovering at home.