Robert Eastwood Junior, left, and Senior

A FATHER-SON duo have been commended by the Metropolitan Police for tackling a man with a knife to the ground in a restaurant in King’s Cross.

Robert Eastwood Senior and his son, Robert Eastwood Junior, were having dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant last September, but as Mr Eastwood Senior was returning from the bathroom, he was met by a sea of people ducking for cover behind tables or and behind pillars.

The Eastwoods then said they spotted a man brandishing a knife and dashing towards people in the restaurant.

“I looked and he had a pair of scissors in one hand and a big knife in the other,” said Mr Eastwood Junior.

Mr Eastwood Senior, who retired as a chief superintendent from Lancashire Police in 2013, confronted the man, shouting at him in an effort to stun him, and then kicking him to the floor.

“I knew I could do something about it, so I did,” he said. “With my history, I wasn’t going to stand back and just let some­body do what he was doing. And I did think he was going to harm some­one. So I took my chance and knocked him flying.”

Inspector Andy Perversi, from the Camden and Islington borough police, praised the pair saying: “The Eastwoods’ actions on this fateful evening undoubtedly saved many lives.”

The father and son were among 46 police officers and community members who were commended for their outstanding service. Recognition was given to police officers who had conducted months-long investigations into drug rings, child abuse allegations and rape cases.

MC, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley, said awards were meant to “shine a light on those who have gone beyond the call of duty”.

He added: “Their tireless actions serve as inspiration to all of us.”

Police Constable Katy Page and Detective Constable Sophie Baker were commended for their “outstanding commitment and victim care” over a 10-month rape investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Steven Tod explained that their suspect-focused approach to the allegation meant that the victim felt comfortable throughout the process and was able to give compelling evidence at trial, which ultimately led to the perpetrator’s conviction.

DC Baker told the Tribune that the commendation meant “a lot” as it reflected changes in Met attitudes towards victims of rape.

“It’s so hard for a jury to be convinced when it’s a ‘he said, she said’ situation. It used to be that there was so much emphasis on the victim, their character. I’m happy to say that has changed – now we’re looking at the suspect.”

For the new Mayor of Islington, Councillor Anjna Khurana, the ceremony was one of her first appearances in an official capacity.

She said: “When the Met is under such scrutiny, actually it is really good to see a side of the Met where you see that bravery and courage and togetherness and support for the community which we don’t hear about.”

She added: “We only hear about the negative but actually it is beautiful to see the positive.”