A Sussex Police officer has been stabbed following an incident in the early hours of Monday (14th September).
A member of the public initially called police to Terminus Road on an unrelated matter.
Having dealt with the matter, the officers were leaving the scene shortly after 1 am when one of the officers was attacked. During the vicious assault, the officer sustained a serious stab injury to his leg.
He was rushed by emergency ambulance to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.
A 42-year-old man from Eastbourne was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, wounding with intent and assault by beating of an emergency worker.
Detectives are keen to speak to several people seen on CCTV in Terminus Road shortly before the assault took place, some of whom may have talked to the suspect.
Chief Constable Shiner said:
“The events overnight starkly demonstrate the risk that all police officers and frontline staff face every day whilst performing their duties to protect the public.
“It is thanks to comprehensive training and the fast-thinking of those at the scene that I am not reporting something far more serious today.
“The injured officer was able to move away and self-administer medical intervention whilst his two junior colleagues – both just 15 months into their policing careers – apprehended the suspect.
“The actions of all three officers, as well as colleagues who swiftly came to their aid, are to be commended.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to report online or call 101 quoting Operation Broadbury.
This latest incident comes less than three days after another male was arrested for the attempted murder of a police officer after an officer from Devon & Cornwall Police was rushed to hospital with severe burn injuries.
The officer was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after he was attacked. One male was arrested for the attempted murder of the officer who is still in hospital in a critical condition.
