Stabbed policeman: hunt for youths linked to two knife incidents in Bow last night

The alley next to Bow Bells pub where police officer was stabbed [Google image] (Image: Google)

The plain clothes officer, who is attached to The Met’s Specialist Crime and Operations unit, was on a planned operation in Bow Road when he was attacked by four youths in an alley next to the Bow Bells Pub at 9.20pm.

The teenagers, including a girl, are not thought to have known that the man they attacked was a police officer, Scotland Yard said today.

They ran off through the alley after the attack—but are now being linked to another incident involving a knife earlier in the same neighbourhood.

The youths may have been involved in a confrontation with a motorist half-a-mile away outside Devons Road DLR station, who was threatened with a knife. The motorist managed to drive off and later reported it to police.

Police say the woman's condition is not life-threatening (Image: MPS)

The stabbed officer, who is in his 40s, was taken by ambulance to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel where he has been detained, although his condition is non-life threatening.

The investigation is being carried by detectives from Scotland Yard’s Homicide and Major Crime Command.

“Fortunately the officer is recovering in hospital,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Martin said: “His injuries could have been a lot worse.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack in the alley next to the Bow Bells pub, which leads to Rainhill Way, Bromley-by-Bow, or to anyone with information to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.

One person was arrested later in the area last night “on suspicion of attempted murder” and is still in police custody. The incident is not being treated as terrorist related, Scotland Yard reassured today.