Injured officers commended for 'bravery'

Tributes were paid today to a police officer and a police community support officer who were injured by a man with a knife in a busy shopping street.

PC Paul Madden, 23, and PCSO Piotr Dolata, 27, were checking bus fares when they were attacked at around 3pm on Wednesday at a bus stop on New Broadway in Ealing, west London.

PC Madden remained in a "serious but stable condition" today but PCSO Dolata was released from hospital on Wednesday.

Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Rowell, Ealing Borough commander, said: "As you will be aware PC Paul Madden and PCSO Piotr Dolata from our borough sustained serious knife injuries whilst on duty. The homicide and serious crime command are currently conducting their enquiries into this incident and a man has been charged. At this stage it is inappropriate for me to comment on the investigation further.

"I would, however, like to reinforce the message that whilst this incident is indeed shocking, it is very rare. This has obviously happened at a time when the Broadway is a very busy place with shoppers and people celebrating the festive season.

"We will be conducting extra patrols in the area and on the buses to provide reassurance for the local community. If anyone has concerns regarding the incident I would ask them to speak to their Safer Neighbourhoods team.

"Secondly, I would like to thank all the members of the public who have contacted the station to offer their support, thanks and best wishes to the injured officers and all of our staff who have been affected by this incident. The overwhelming response has been very comforting to all of us and will be passed onto the officers and their families.

"I would lastly like to commend the two injured officers for their bravery and actions at the scene, as well as the other officers that were in attendance and members of public who went to help them. Both officers are highly regarded and it truly does show the close relationship the officers have on the borough, as well as the public support of the work that we do."

PC Madden, who has two brothers and a sister, is completing his probation on the response team. He joined Ealing Borough in September 2009. He grew up in Manchester and trained at Hendon.

He now lives in north-west London and is single.

John Onyenaychi, 30, appeared at Brent Magistrates' Court this morning charged with two counts of attempted murder.

Onyenaychi, from Wise Road in east London, was also charged with attempting to cause grievous bodily harm against a second PCSO, Steven Constable.

He was remanded in custody after hurling abuse at the judge from the dock. He was hand-cuffed and surrounded by 10 police officers.