Police knifed in street horror: Two officers stabbed in front of Christmas shoppers

Crime scene: Police and emergency services in Ealing today
12 April 2012

Two police officers were stabbed this afternoon in front of horrified Christmas shoppers.

They were attacked by a man they had stopped for questioning near the Nationwide building society in Ealing Broadway.

The police constable was seriously injured after being slashed in the neck.

A police community support officer, who was stabbed in the head, is believed not to have life-threatening injuries.

Both officers were taken to hospital. A 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene after the attack which took place at about 3pm.

A large number of police vehicles and ambulances blocked Ealing Broadway and an area of pavement was cordoned off.

A shopper on the scene told Sky News: "It was unbelievable. This guy just jumped up and started a big ruckus. It happened in broad daylight.

"The officers were just checking the people getting off buses. All of a sudden they were attacked."

Model Portia Freno said she witnessed the attack as she travelled to a photoshoot. Writing on Twitter, she said: "I am disgusted. Two police officers just got stabbed in the head in Ealing. Not a nice thing to witness at all."

A shopkeeper, who asked not to be named, said: "The police response was almost instant. There were dozens of officers actually running as fast as they could along the street from the local station to get to the scene. I've never seen anything like it."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that we have received reports of a police officer and a PCSO having been involved in an incident in the borough of Ealing and having sustained stab wounds.

"The incident occurred around 3.05pm. The Pc is believed to be in a serious condition. The PCSO is in a non-serious condition.

"Both are being treated by London Ambulance Service. A male has been arrested in connection with the incident."

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 15.16 today to an incident on Ealing Broadway. We sent one single responder in a car, two ambulance crews, the air ambulance doctor in a car and two duty officers to the scene.

"Our staff treated two patients who were taken to hospital."

One witness said the incident took place at a bus stop opposite the Moss Bros store on New Broadway.

Sarbjot Kallah, a shop supervisor at clothing store Fat Face, said: "From Ealing Broadway down towards Southwall the road's all been cordoned off and there are police all around. The traffic has all been diverted as well."

The officer and the PCSO were on a transport patrol checking passengers travelling on buses in Ealing.

They are believed to have stopped the suspect at a bus stop and began questioning him when he suddenly pulled a knife and attacked them.

The police officer was later described as stable after undergoing emergency treatment at Ealing Hospital.

At first there were fears for his life after he was slashed across the neck with the knife. The PCSO was also stable.

Leader of Ealing Council, Councillor Julian Bell said: "This is a truly shocking incident. I've lived in Ealing for 25 years and I've never
known anything like this.

"Police officers do a fantastic job and put their lives on the line every day to keep our streets safe. Our thoughts are with the officers
involved and their families.

"Council officers are already reviewing footage from all CCTV cameras in the area and will be giving police every possible assistance with
their investigations into the incident."

Transport for London said Ealing Broadway station, which operates District and Central Line services, has not been closed. Buses have been diverted.

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