Officers commended for their bravery after a car reversed into them at speed

Two Met officers have been praised for their courage after a driver appeared to deliberately reverse into them as they tried to stop a car they believed to be stolen.

The incident highlights just one of the many occasions where officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public.

PC Angel De Melo, who was in the front passenger seat of the police car when it was struck, said:

“Everything happened so quickly but in those kind of incidents, it feels like time slows down.

“The wheel was directly in line with my face. I remember seeing it come towards us and I braced for it to ram us.

“But then it didn’t stop. I remember feeling a mist of shattered glass all over me.

“In that moment I thought - this is it.”

PC Rishav Neupane, who was driving the police car, said:

“I’ve been rammed before but nothing like this.

“I can remember the sound of the windscreen crushing, the tyres rolling over it and the windscreen starting to collapse. That sticks in my mind.

“I thought Angel was going to be crushed.”

On Saturday, 24 January, officers were alerted that a Land Rover Defender had been reported as stolen.

PC De Melo and PC Neupane were on patrol in the area when they saw a vehicle matching the description pass in front of them.

They began to follow and observe it, making checks on police systems as they did so.

It turned into Somerton Street in Barnet and came to a stop.

Without any warning, the driver reversed at speed into the officers’ stationary vehicle which had come to a stop immediately behind.

The Defender mounted the front of the police car, driving up over the bonnet, crushing the windscreen, going up onto the roof before flipping onto its side.

Remarkably, the officers were not seriously injured. Without hesitation, they left their vehicle, challenged the driver and then pursued on foot when he fled. Thanks to their determination, they were able to stop and arrest him after a brief chase.

Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah, in charge of policing in Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea, said:

“The actions of these officers highlight policing at its very best: teamwork, resilience, and bravery in the face of a genuine threat.

“The photographs from the scene highlight how close they were to serious, potentially life‑changing harm. We are incredibly fortunate that they were able to walk away - let alone continue the pursuit and ensure the suspect’s safe arrest.

“This incident highlights not only their individual courage but also the extraordinary heroism displayed by frontline officers across the Met every single day. The use of vehicles as weapons continues to pose significant risks, yet our officers confront this danger with unwavering professionalism and resolve.”

You can find a further video including interviews with the officers involved here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRah2OL0gas

If you use the video in your coverage, please credit the Metropolitan Police Service.