A brave off-duty policeman chased down and detained knife-wielding thugs who stabbed a parent during the school run.
Det Con Mark Bates, has been dubbed a hero after springing into action when the victim was knifed outside the school grounds last summer.
The victim had confronted the group of thugs who were drinking booze, hurling abuse and smoking cannabis where young children were walking past.
Vicious Kyle Youlden slashed the man on the arm on July 1 and then took off before being hunted down by Mark Bates and the victim.
The pair caught up with Youlden before DC Bates quickly disarmed the 21-year-old and pinned him down until back-up arrived from his police colleagues.
DC Bates then searched the area looking for another man and woman who had also been causing trouble outside Water Orton School in Warwickshire, according to Birmingham Live.
DC Bates clocked the second thug at around 3.45pm and, after a brief chase, got to grips with the suspect, who also had a knife.
Kyle Youlden was jailed on Tuesday, March 8, for two years and three months after he admitted wounding and knife possession.
DC Bates was praised by a senior Warwickshire Police officer – but said stepping in to protect people, even when off duty, was part of the job.
DC Bates, who has been with West Midlands Police for 14 years, said: “I didn’t hesitate and ran after him straight away. He’d already stabbed someone and had a knife near a school so didn’t know what he was capable of.
“When I caught up with him I took him down and pulled his right arm out from underneath him. There was a knife, closed, in his hand. I took it out of his hand a threw it a few feet away.
“I could see the victim was bleeding quite heavily from his arm so told him to take his shirt off and wrap it around his wound. It was nasty but could have been a lot worse.
“I just acted instinctively as any police officer would. It’s my duty to protect the public at whatever cost to me and I would do the same again.”
Warwickshire Police Det Insp Gareth Unett, said: “DC Bates showed immense bravery in tackling an armed man who had already shown he was prepared use his weapon.
“Even while off duty he showed great commitment to protecting the community, he’s a credit to the police service.” The other man and woman were released without charge.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
