Inspector Moloy Campbell, PC Cameron King and PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield have tonight been honoured with an Outstanding Bravery award at the Pride of Britain Awards
Inspector Moloy Campbell, PC Cameron King and PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield have tonight been honoured at the Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, in recognition of their outstanding act of heroism.
On April 30, 2024, the three brave police officers responded to a scene of unimaginable horror in Hainault, East London. In an incident that escalated into a horrifying rampage, 37-year-old Marcus Arduini Monzo crashed a van into a house, striking a pedestrian. He then lef the vehicle, wielding a 60cm samurai-style sword.
By the time Inspector Campbell, PC King and PC Mechem-Whifield arrived on the scene, Monzo had brutally killed 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin, who’d been heading out to school when the assailant attacked.
Determined to prevent further tragedy, PC Mechem-Whitfield and PC King chased the killer into an alleyway. Drawing his sword once again, Monzo, who claimed to have an alternative persona of a “professional assassin” attacked PC Mechem-Whitfield, injuries so severe that her hand was nearly severed from her arm.
PC King had no taser and had run out of pepper spray, but this didn’t stop him from getting between injured colleague, brandishing his baton aand prompting Monzo to run.
It was at this Inspector Campbell, who had rushed to the scene from his morning briefing, intervened. He sustained horror injuries after he intervened, and nearly lost his thumb, but his efforts allowed fellow officers to finally apprehend Monzo, and put an end to the terror. Monzo was ultimately put behind bars for at least 40 years.
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Tonight, the brave police officers who were instrumental in bringing the dangerous criminal down, have been honoured with an Outstanding Bravery award, and took a moment to speak exclusively with the Mirror about their outstanding achievement.
Reflecting on whether such bravery can be found in anyone, Inspecttor Campbell modestly told us: “I think once you’re faced with a situation like that, people will surprise themselves. Even those who feel that that is beyond them, I’m willing to bet that it’s not.”
Offering some words of wisdom to young aspiring police officers, Moloy advised: “I think the policing which Cam, Yas, and many other officers showed is ethical policing, robust policing, and effective policing. So if you’re wanting to be a police officer, […] we’re looking for that type of policing to reassure people, both in London and wider.”
Meanwhile, PC King remarked: “I think a lot of the time, especially with us as police officers, we rely a lot on our training, and the training that we received is as good as it is. We’re very thankful for that. Obviously in that day it was very much that the training kicked in, to a certain degree, and what happened, happened.”
Inspector Campbell was joined at the glittering event by his wife Lauren, who shared: “I am very proud. I can’t stop crying because I’m so proud.”
His young stepdaughter Robyn also couldn’t be prouder of her heroic stepdad, telling us: “I feel like my stepdad has had to have the courage to do this amazing thing”. Schoolfriends are naturally very impressed to hear of his bravery, and Robyn agrees that her stepdad has inspired people across the country.
When asked what it was like to stand on that glittering stage to receive the award, Moloy replied: “It was alright!” He added: “It’s been really good. We’re really grateful to be here and it’s certainly a memorable night.”
PC Cameron added: “We were saying this earlier, it’s so far away from our everyday, of going to work. It’s a really nice change, and it’s an absolute honour to share the stage with other amazing people who’ve won these awards.”
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