Luton brothers jailed for machete attack on off-duty Met Police officer
The officer was praised for his bravery in confronting the teenagers during a knife-point robbery committed in broad daylight
Last updated 23rd Jun 2025
Two bothers have been sentenced to seven years each in prison for attacking an off-duty police officer following a knife-point robbery in Luton last year.
The incident took place around 1pm in George Street outside Luton Point shopping centre, on November 2.
Humar and Hannan Mahmood, 18 and 19 years old at the time, approached a first victim to rob him of his electric bike, bag, goggles, wallet and phone, brandishing a large machete, before one made off on a moped and the other on the stolen bike.
PC Attwood, who had been out for lunch with his wife, witnessed the scene and decided to challenge the men, telling them he was a police officer.
Humar then pulled out a machete swinging it towards his head, his brother Hannan also in possession of such a weapon.
One of the brothers was heard by witnesses saying "just kill him fam" and "swing it to his head, he’s not going to come back."
PC Attwood, who used a large and heavy plastic barrier in an attempt to stop the brothers from escaping, was stabbed several times, including in the chest.
The brothers then left the scene, driving dangerously at speed, including on pavements, before being arrested by Bedfordshire Police.
PC Attwood was treated by paramedics at the scene and taken to Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, where he was given sutures to close up the chest wound.
Following a search of the brothers' property on Belmont Road in the town, officers recovered the bag and goggles stolen in the knife-point robbery, as well as a several machetes and a small bag of cannabis.
During a victim impact statement, PC Attwood, who has since recovered and returned to service, said he "was lucky to be alive", and that returning to work was "stressful but necessary".
He also said he was undergoing trauma counselling and that flashbacks keep him up at night.
In a separate statement, PC Attwood said: "I think if you put a uniform on – irrespective of what uniform – you have a hidden ability to help people. There is a saying that the police are never off duty and in my case at this time, that was true.
“The victim of the robbery didn’t go into town to get robbed, I didn’t go into town expecting to be stabbed, we were just doing our normal day to day activities. Thankfully we managed to stop someone from doing something bad to someone else.
“I would like to thank the officers of Bedfordshire Police as while they have said really nice comments about me, I have never had a chance to thank them back. I thank them wholeheartedly.”
Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, said: “Every day police officers up and down the country step forward to confront the most dangerous criminals in circumstances when most people would turn away.
“PC Attwood was off duty, on his own and without his personal protective equipment. But his instincts told him something wasn’t right so he bravely went to investigate and confront criminals armed with machetes.
“It is thanks to his courage and to the subsequent work of Bedfordshire Police that two violent offenders are now behind bars. The public are safer as a result.
“PC Attwood’s actions demonstrated the very best of policing – bravery, dedication, a commitment to service and a passionate drive to protect people. All of us at the Met are incredibly proud to call him a colleague.”
Earlier this year, both Humar, now aged 19, and Hannan Mahmood, now aged 20, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and dangerous driving, having previously pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of offensive weapons.
Sentencing the brothers today (June 23) at Luton Crown Court, Her Honour Judge Hunter KC called the men dangerous and said "these were brazen offences, planned insofar as robbery is concerned", adding that they were "persistent" and "in presence of members of the public" which included children and a baby in a pram.
Detective Inspector Caeva Taylor from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: “PC Attwood’s bravery in the face of grave danger undoubtedly allowed us to gather enough evidence to identify and bring to justice the Mahmood brothers, who I firmly believe would have gone on to commit further violent crimes. Their chosen lifestyle meant they sought to gain from fear, intimidation and the brandishing of weapons, showing no regard for others.
“PC Attwood was off-duty at the time of the offence and courageously stepped in to prevent any further harm to the public, risking his own life to do so.
“The Mahmoods now face a lengthy prison sentence and I am pleased that they are no longer free to carry out wanton violence on Bedfordshire’s streets.”
Bedfordshire Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Dan Vajzovic said: “As police officers, we have a duty to protect others and this does often places us at the risk of harm in our daily duties.
“PC Attwood exemplifies the very best of the professionalism and courage shown by so many in our service. He didn’t think twice about stepping in to protect others. As an off-duty officer he had no protective equipment and without a thought to his own safety he set about doing all in his power to ensure those responsible were apprehended and prevented from harming others. I reiterate my thanks to PC Attwood on behalf of my force and the residents of Bedfordshire. We are extremely lucky to have him as a colleague in the police service.”
In sentencing, Judge Hunter KC thanked PC Attwood for his service and made an application for a High Sheriff's Award.