Two police officers stabbed in London
Policeman knifed in the neck while colleague may have life-changing injuries after confronting suspect
A female police officer has been left with potentially life-changing injuries after she and a male colleague were stabbed in central London. They had been on patrol in the Leicester Square area early yesterday morning when they approached a man who was acting suspiciously. The man was subdued by other officers using Tasers, pepper spray and batons, and arrested. Both officers were taken to hospital where they were in a stable condition last night.
A FEMALE police officer has been left with potentially life-changing injuries after she and a male colleague were stabbed in central London.
The pair had been on a routine patrol in the Leicester Square area early yesterday morning when they approached a man who was acting suspiciously. As the female officer challenged the man he produced a knife and stabbed her in the arm before fleeing the scene.
He was pursued by her male colleague, who after tackling him a short distance away, was stabbed three times in the neck and chest.
The man was eventually subdued by other officers who used Tasers, pepper spray and batons to restrain him.
Both officers were taken to hospital where they were said to be in a stable condition. The suspect, who is in his
‘The police officers surrounded the guy and tasered him, like, five times because he had a knife’
20s, was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and assaulting an emergency worker, before also being taken to hospital for treatment.
Scotland Yard said they did not believe the attack was terror related or was in any way connected with the period of mourning for the late Queen.
Youssef Boucetta, 27, a taxi driver, witnessed the incident on his way to pick up a fare at Heathrow Airport.
He said that six officers struggled to tackle the suspect, who was eventually restrained when a passer-by threw a bicycle at him.
Mr Boucetta said: “First of all, I saw this female officer appear from around the corner with blood on her arm. She was screaming ‘I’ve been stabbed, I’ve been stabbed’, so I got out my car with my jacket and wrapped it around her.
“Then more police officers… surrounded the guy and tasered him, like, five times because he had a knife.”
Sir Mark Rowley, the new Met Commissioner, praised the bravery and dedication of his officers and said the incident illustrated the risks the police took every day to keep people safe.
The attack happened as thousands of police officers from across the country are on patrol in the capital ahead of the Queen’s funeral on Monday.
Speaking at Scotland Yard, Sir Mark said: “It’s a reminder to me that with all the calls for reform in the Metropolitan Police – which are absolutely necessary – we should never forget that we’ve got thousands of dedicated men and women going out every day who are prepared to be brave for Londoners.”
He said the female officer’s vein had been severed in the attack and as a result she had sustained “massive blood loss”. “We remain concerned that the injuries to the young woman officer’s arm may still be quite serious and may potentially be life-changing, but that’s yet to be worked through,” he added.
It is understood the man attacked the female officer after she approached him because of her suspicions that he might be armed.
Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, expressed deep concern at the incident. She said: “Every day, we are safer thanks to the bravery of our policemen and women. I wish the police officers a swift recovery and my thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues.”
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, condemned the attack and called for anyone with information about the incident to contact the police.