In a commendable act of bravery, three men were honoured by West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford for their courageous intervention in stopping a man attacking a woman with a knife in Birmingham city centre.

The incident unfolded on August 16, 2022, when passer-by Paul Fogoe, coffee shop worker Ali Mehmet, and Colmore BID security officer James Crooks bravely stepped in to halt the attack.

Mr. Fogoe, present in Birmingham city centre that day, witnessed a man assaulting a woman with a knife outside a coffee shop. Without hesitation, he rushed towards the attacker, seizing a chair to strike him over the head. This swift action caused the assailant to fall, allowing Mr. Fogoe to position himself between the woman and her attacker.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mehmet, who was inside the coffee shop during the incident, promptly rushed to the door and pulled the woman to safety. Simultaneously, the armed attacker fled the scene, prompting Mr. Mehmet to give chase and alert the police about the unfolding situation.

Mr. Crooks, on street patrol in the area at the time, was informed of the incident and made his way to the scene. Observing Mr. Mehmet pursuing the knife-wielding assailant, Mr. Crooks joined the chase. He relayed crucial information to the police through the CCTV operator and activated his body-worn camera, providing valuable evidence.

As a result of the quick thinking and courageous actions of these three individuals, the police were able to locate and apprehend the attacker, who was later charged with attempted murder. Their intervention likely saved the life of the assaulted woman, who survived the ordeal and received necessary medical treatment.

In recognition of their exceptional bravery, Paul Fogoe, Ali Mehmet, and James Crooks were presented with Good Citizen Awards by Chief Constable Craig Guildford. Additionally, all three men are slated to receive a Police Public Bravery Silver Medal later this year, acknowledging their outstanding efforts in ensuring the safety of their community.