The man – who is asking to remain anonymous – showed incredible bravery when he chased down a knifeman who stabbed five people in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam last week
Amsterdam: Man arrested by Police after stabbing in Dam Square
A British hero who took down a knifeman in Amsterdam after they stabbed five people “could be a spy”, one expert believes. The mystery Brit, who is yet to be identified, has been hailed as the “Hero of the Dam” after he single-handedly took down the Ukrainian suspect as he embarked on a rampage in the busy European city.
Putting his own life on the line, he sprinted towards the danger and kicked the knifeman, causing him to tumble over. He then sat on the suspect and restrained him until cops showed up. Watching the footage of his brave actions, a former Parachute Regiment serviceman has said he’s certain the man has had special forces training.
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Paul Biddiss has laid out the five tell-tale signs that this man was a specialist. He told the MailOnline: “Looking at the clips there’s no doubt in my mind he has received some form of training. That could be military, it could be police, or it could be he’s involved in close protection work.”
The first sign is the man’s incredible fitness, which allows him to chase down the attacker with ease. Paul said it’s likely he takes part in regular fitness training. This alone doesn’t prove his work history. However, a few seconds later, the man’s calmness and self-control while apprehending the rampaging subject shows his work history.
“He is so calm, so controlled and so unfazed by his situation. And let’s remember this man had just stabbed five people. It’s inconceivable that he hasn’t been trained to do that”, Paul said.
With the suspect now on the ground, the hero is seen tactically applying pressure on to the wrists, elbows and shoulder – another indicator that he had specialist knowledge.
A little later in the clip, Paul said he could see the hero had taken his belt off. This is a trick taught for interrogation or prisoner of war situations, which sees the soldier removing their belts so they can use it as a weapon or for escape. Servicemen and women are taught to use whatever they have on their person to nullify a threat.
Paul, who spent almost a quarter of a century in the Parachute Regiment, added that the type of restraint he used is one taught in tactical control. By putting pressure on different parts of the body, the man has gained full control of the situation.
One indicator that he could be a spy rather than a general soldier was his choice to remain anonymous. Former counter security and intelligence operative Paul said this suggests he has some kind of security background. He concludes that he’s likely a former soldier now working in the security industry.
Amsterdam’s mayor Femke Halsema thanked the man for his bravery when she awarded him the heldenspeld – or hero’s badge – for his courage. She said he’s a “very modest British man” and that he has “no desire to become famous”.