Officer was carrying uniform in suitcase while waiting for a bus in Edmonton Green

*Bartlomiej Zielnski (inset) robbed a police officer of his uniform at Edmonton Green Bus Station*

A teenager has been jailed after he robbed a police officer’s uniform from him while he was waiting for a bus.

Bartlomiej Zielnski, aged 18 from Enfield, was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on Wednesday to three years’ imprisonment for robbery.

The victim was a serving response constable for the Metropolitan Police, who was based in south London. On 10th January 2020 the officer was waiting at Edmonton Green Bus Station, on his way to work, when he was he was approached by Zielnski and another youth, who offered him drugs.

The officer identified himself as a police officer and tried to stop them, but the other male pulled out a hammer and threatened him. They then stole the officer’s suitcase, which had his uniform inside, before running off.

Five days later, Zielnski was arrested following an unrelated matter. A search of his address was carried out – where the officer’s helmet was then found. Zielnski was identified as one of the two bus station robbers, but the other has not yet been traced.

Detective Constable Daniel Trodden, investigating officer, said: “A police officer is never off duty, and when he was approached on his way to work by two males and offered drugs the officer in this incident answered his duty, only to be threatened and robbed of his suitcase, which contained his uniform.

“Thankfully the officer suffered no injuries, and in fact continued on his way to work to help protect the people of London after the incident.

“Zielnski may well have thought he had got away with his crime but will now have a substantial amount of time to think about his actions.”

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