Policeman stabbed as he tried to stop fight

An off-duty police officer was stabbed in the chest as he tried to break up a fight yesterday afternoon.

Derbyshire Police arrested a 29-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder following the attack in Dronfield.

The officer, a detective sergeant, was knifed in the chest and arm as he tried to keep the peace. He remained in hospital last night where his injuries were not life-threatening, said a spokeswoman for Derbyshire Police. She said: "The male detective sergeant was walking along Church Street, Dronfield, at 3.59pm when he came across a fight between a group of people.

"He identified himself to the group as a police officer in order to stop the fight but he was stabbed several times in the chest and arm. He was taken to Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital where his injuries are described as not life-threatening."