Police officer stabbed in neck three times remains in hospital as man charged over double stabbing

A POLICE officer stabbed three times in the neck during a "frenzied attack" on Friday remained in hospital last night (Saturday, September 17).

The male officer remained under medical supervision, according to the Met Police.

A young female officer, who suffered life-changing injuries, after she was stabbed in the same central London incident, was yesterday discharged from hospital.

A man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and assaulting an emergency worker after the attack in Leicester Square at about 6am and he remained in custody yesterday.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the female officer challenged a man she believed was carrying a knife, and he stabbed her in the arm before attempting to flee.

The male officer caught the offender, who stabbed him three times in the neck and once in the chest.

A taser was deployed, and the offender was arrested by other officers.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses and information about the information to come forward.

A Met Police spokesman said: "At approximately 6am on Friday, 16 September officers were on patrol in the area of Leicester Square and dealing with another incident when they were made aware of a man in possession of a knife.

"Officers challenged the man and during attempts to detain him received stab injuries. Additional officers rushed to the scene. A further officer involved in detaining the man suffered a minor hand injury while another sustained damage to his protective vest caused by the knife.

"The officers who were stabbed, one male and one female, were taken to hospital for treatment; their injuries are not assessed at this time as life threatening. The female officer has been discharged from hospital.

"Both officers’ families have been informed. All those involved are being supported by the wider policing family."

During the arrest, Taser was discharged and the man, who is aged 24, was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and assaulting an emergency services worker – he was taken to hospital as a precaution and for treatment to minor injuries. He has since been discharged into police custody.

"A knife was recovered at the scene.

"While enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing, at this stage it is not thought the incident is terror related."

An investigation into the circumstances is being led by detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command. They are appealing to anyone who was in the area and saw this incident, or who may have captured events on a camera or mobile phone, to contact the incident room on 020 8785 8244.

They can also speak to police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote 1080/16SEP. Information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.

Detective Chief Superintendent Owain Richards, from the Central West Command Unit, responsible for policing Westminster, said: “Every day, police officers go out on the streets to keep the communities of London safe. In doing so they often have to put themselves in the way of danger, putting their own welfare at risk in order to protect others.

“The actions of these two officers, and their colleagues, exemplifies the key value of courage that runs through the core of the Metropolitan Police and they will be offered all the support they need as they begin their recovery from this terrifying incident.”

Mohammed Rahman, 24, of Westbourne Park Road, Paddington, was last night charged with attempted murder and Section 18 GBH with intent. The attempted murder charge relates to a male police constable, the GBH to a female police constable.

He was also charged with assault (ABH) and two counts of threatening a person in a public place with a bladed article. These charges relate to three other police constables.

In addition, he was charged with robbery and possession of a bladed article.

Rahman will appear in custody at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.