The quiet of a Sunday afternoon in Bermondsey shattered as police responded to a call at a flat on Marine Street, unknowingly walking into a scene of escalating danger. What began as a routine raid quickly devolved into a brutal attack, leaving officers fighting for their safety against a man and a powerful weapon – his own dog.
As officers cautiously approached Bowley House, a heavy police presence descended on Old Jamaica Road and Marine Street, with concerned onlookers observing from below as colleagues surveyed balconies. The situation inside, however, was far more volatile than anyone anticipated.
The suspect allegedly unleashed his Cane Corso on the attending officers, a formidable breed known for its strength and protective instincts. Before they could fully react to the canine assault, a man emerged wielding axes, turning the raid into a desperate struggle for survival.
Two officers bore the brunt of the attack, suffering injuries inflicted by both the axes and the dog. The scene was chaotic, a whirlwind of aggression and fear as colleagues worked to subdue the assailant and secure the area.
In a swift and decisive move, officers deployed a Taser, successfully incapacitating the suspect and bringing the immediate threat to an end. He was immediately arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, the gravity of his actions beginning to sink in.
The injured officers were swiftly transported to hospital, their colleagues breathing a collective sigh of relief as they learned the injuries, while serious, were not life-threatening. Both have since been discharged, beginning their recovery from the harrowing ordeal.
A third officer sustained a minor injury during the confrontation, receiving on-scene treatment and requiring no further medical intervention. The dog, a central figure in the attack, was seized and taken into police kennels, its fate now uncertain.
Stephen Coombes, 43, of Marine Street, now faces a barrage of charges including attempted murder, being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog, a racially aggravated Public Order Act offence, and harassment. He is scheduled to appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court, where he will answer for his actions.
The incident has left the community shaken, a stark reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement officers every day. The investigation continues, piecing together the events that led to this violent confrontation and seeking to understand the motivations behind the attack.
