Police stabbing: Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of officer

42-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of emergency worker

CCTV footage released by Sussex Police of people who were at Terminus Road in Eastbourne and may have spoken to the suspect. Detectives are asking for anyone in the footage to contact them (Sussex Police)

A man has been arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of a police officer after he was stabbed in the leg in Eastbourne on Monday morning.  

Sussex Police said officers were called to Terminus Road, where the officer was attacked and received a serious stab injury. He was taken to Brighton's Sussex County Hospital for treatment.

A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, wounding with intent and assault by beating of an emergency worker, the force said. He remains in custody.

Chief Constable Jo Shiner said the situation could have been “far more serious” if not for “comprehensive training and the fast-thinking of those at the scene”.

“The injured officer was able to move away and self-administer medical intervention while his two junior colleagues - both just 15 months into their policing careers - apprehended the suspect.

She commended the actions of all three officers involved, as well as colleagues who came to their aid “swiftly”.

Sussex Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward to help in the investigation and detectives are keen to speak to a number of people seen on CCTV in the area shortly before the assault took place, some of whom may have talked to the suspect.

“Were you in Terminus Road in Eastbourne, around 1am on Monday? You may be able to help us with our investigation into the attempted murder of a police officer,” said the force on Twitter.

This is the second incident in which a suspect was arrested for attempted murder of a police officer in the past four days.

A 51-year-old officer was attacked last Friday when he was called out to help bailiffs with a civil eviction from private land in Newquay, Cornwall, and suffered severe burns to his arms and legs.

A 30-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the officer was airlifted to hospital for treatment. His injuries were described as “significant” but not life-threatening.