Police officer stabbed in stomach during attempted Westminster robbery

4 October 2020, 18:15 | Updated: 4 October 2020, 19:28

A female officer has been stabbed during an attempted robbery in Westminster
A female officer has been stabbed during an attempted robbery in Westminster. Picture: PA Images
Ewan Quayle

By Ewan Quayle

A police officer has been stabbed after attempting to stop an attempted robbery in Westminster, the Metropolitan Police has said.

The female officer is understood to have intervened at a suspected attempted robbery in central London on Sunday afternoon.

Two police officers were in Chapter Street at around 3.45pm when they saw two men armed with knives who appeared to be robbing a grocery store.

The shopkeeper managed to push the suspects out of the store, before the two officers tried to detain them, which is when a female officer was stabbed in the stomach.

She continued to chase the suspects along Vauxhall Bridge Road.

Chief Inspector Simon Brooke said: “This shows precisely the kind of danger officers face every single day as they work to keep the public safe.

“For this officer to be stabbed on duty is unacceptable but, fortunately, she does not appear to be seriously injured.

“I applaud her bravery in responding to this call. This courage is typical of Met officers as they go about their duties.”

The officer was taken to hospital and the force confirmed that her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The suspects were detained a shortly after the incident with the help of firearms officers

Reacting to the incident, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “My thoughts and prayers are with this brave police officer who is receiving treatment in hospital after she was stabbed while on duty, intervening in a robbery, this afternoon.

"Every day our courageous police officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep Londoners safe.

"I am sure all Londoners will join me in wishing her a speedy recovery. Attacks on our police are utterly unacceptable and perpetrators will feel the full force of the law.”

The officer received praise from her colleagues at the Met Police Federation, who commended her "absolutely incredible bravery" as she continued to pursue the suspect after being attacked.

"We wish our injured colleague well. She is the best of the best," a spokesperson added.

Westminster City Council Leader Rachael Robathan tweeted: “Shocked by news of a policewoman being stabbed in Chapter Street.

"Relieved she appears not to be seriously injured but a vivid reminder of the dangers police officers face every day keeping us safe.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Iran's supreme leader has hit back at Trump.

'Nobody knows what I'm gonna do': Trump's cryptic message as Iran brands claims of Washington talks 'despicable lies'

The Adalynn and Front Eagle tankers collided and caught on fire on Tuesday close to the Strait of Hormuz.

Navigational mistake led to oil tanker collision near Strait of Hormuz, says UAE official

Marine experts are set to bring the stricken Bayesian to the surface

Tech tycoon Mike Lynch's sunken superyacht to be raised from the seabed this weekend

Police officers stand next to a restaurant as people protest against overtourism in the Balearic island of Mallorca

Spain: Brits warned of tough rules for holidaying this summer

The Home Office UK Visas & Immigration Office at Lunar House in Croydon, London, UK.

Home Office tells children, aged 11 and eight, they must return to Brazil without parents or face being 'detained'

Yvonne Ford, 59, from Barnsley.

Pictured: Brit grandmother who died from rabies after being scratched by puppy as family issues stark warning

The 35-year-old received the news after earning his biggest win in two years, which also helped him reclaim a spot in the world's top 200 rankings

Dan Evans handed Wimbledon wildcard after stunning win over world No.13 Frances Tiafoe

How Iran could hit back: The growing threat to Western bases as Israeli strikes on Tehran escalate

How Iran could hit back: The growing threat to Western bases as Israeli strikes on Tehran escalate

Jennifer Abbot, 69, was discovered stabbed to death in her Camden home

Manhunt as police search for suspect after woman, 69, stabbed to death in home over 'diamond-encrusted Rolex'

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho.

'We'll make him pay': Leaked Jose Mourinho texts spark scandal in Turkish football

Exclusive
'If you find a gun, you phone the police': Fishing for firearms, knives and grenades in the canals of the North

'If you find a gun, you phone the police': Fishing for firearms, knives and grenades along Britain's canals

Metropolitan Police handout photo of disgraced paedophile Gary Glitter.

Gary Glitter to remain in jail after parole board turn down release bid

Annabel Rook

Children of 'murdered' mother-of-two found in her £1.4m home after gas explosion escaped as they were 'at a sleepover'

Morocco is estimated to have around 3 million stray dogs, known locally as "Beldis"

Brit dies from rabies after contact with stray dog while on holiday in Morocco

A court sketch drawn from a video link shows Erin Patterson giving evidence in her own homicide trial at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court in Morwell, Victoria

Woman on trial for 'mushroom murders' should not be found guilty for 'lying', defence argues

Eddie Howe faces decisions over how to line up his squad next season

How Newcastle could line-up for 2025-26