Appeal after officer stabbed in east London

Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses
after a police officer was stabbed whilst on duty in Bow, last
night, Tuesday, 22 November. 

The plain clothes officer, who is attached to a Specialist
Crime and Operations Unit, was deployed on a pre-planned
operation.

At approximately 21:22hrs, he was attacked in an alleyway near
the Bow Bells Pub, in Bow Road, E3, by a group of four youths
resulting in the officer suffering three stab wounds.

The group of youths was made up of three boys and one girl,
said to be aged in their late teens.

At this early stage, it is not believed that the youths knew
that the person they attacked was a police officer, and that
they may have been out socialising in the area prior to the
attack.

After attacking the officer, the group of four ran off. They
may have been involved in another incident nearby, outside
Devons Road DLR Station, where they threatened a motorist with
a knife. He managed to drive off and reported the incident to
police.

The London Air Ambulance and London Ambulance Service were
called and the officer, aged in his 40s, was taken to an east
London hospital where he remains in a non-life threatening
condition.

The investigation is being carried by detectives from the
Homicide and Major Crime Command. 

Temporary Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Richard
Martin, from Specialist Crime and Operations, said:
“Fortunately, the officer is recovering well in hospital, as
his injuries could have been a lot worse.

“I’d like to appeal for any information or witnesses to the
attack that took place. If you saw or heard anything that may
help us catch the people responsible then please get in touch.”

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to
call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555
111.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested later that evening in the area
on suspicion of attempted murder. He remains in police custody.

This incident is not being treated as terrorist related.