A British tourist has been described as a hero and awarded a medal for bravery after he tackled a suspected knifeman to the ground in central Amsterdam, ending his rampage.

In widely shared video footage, the Briton – who has not been named – is seen chasing a man suspected of stabbing five people on the Dutch capital’s historic centre on Thursday.

The tourist pinned the suspect down just off Dam Square, kneeling on top of him as he waited for police to arrive.

On Friday, Femke Halsema, Amsterdam’s mayor, thanked the man for his actions and awarded him the city’s heldenspeld – which means hero’s badge – for bravery at her official residence.

“He is a very modest British man,” she told the Amsterdam news channel AT5. “He has no desire to become famous. He is now mainly concerned with the victims, he feels responsible for them.”

She said the tourist had shown “great instinct” by overpowering the suspect moments after he had stabbed the fifth victim.

“This man made a decision in a split second, which is truly exceptional and for which there should be a lot of appreciation,” she added.