Hero cop slashed in head while arresting knife-wielding thug for street robbery
A COP has been slashed in the head with a knife while trying arrest a man accused of stealing a mobile phone in the street.
The male officer was attacked just before 10pm last night after a man claimed his phone had been snatched from his hands in Derby.
Two officers had discovered a man matching the description of the suspect and attempted to arrest him.
However one of the officers was slashed with a knife and rushed to hospital.
He has been treated for head wounds and is now recovering at home.
A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and robbery.
PHONE ROBBERY
The shocking attack came just hours after a man was jailed for 12 years for mowing down a hero car in his own hijacked squad car.
PC Gareth Phillips, 42, was left for dead after being hit by Mubashar Hussain, 29, in the stolen vehicle in Moseley, Birmingham, on August 10.
In August, hero PC Andrew Harper was allegedly dragged to his death by a burglary getaway van in Berskhire.
Describing yet another attack on an officer, a Derbyshire Constabulary spokesman said: "One of our police officers was hospitalised after he was slashed with a knife while arresting a robbery suspect.
I am very worried that there are people who are prepared to attack police officers who quite simply carrying out their duties.
Chief Constable, Peter Goodman
"We were called to the area of Slack Lane in Derby just before 10pm yesterday after a man was allegedly robbed of his mobile phone in the street.
"Shortly after, two of our officers found a man matching the description of the suspect and attempted to detain him.
"However, during that attempt, one of the officers was slashed to the head with a knife. He was taken to hospital for treatment and is now recovering at home.
"A 37-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and robbery.
KNIFE ATTACK
"He remains in police custody this morning."
Cops investigating both the robbery and alleged assault yesterday are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Chief Constable, Peter Goodman, added: “Yesterday one of our brave officers attended a report of a street robbery, he was then assaulted with a knife.
“Despite this assault the officer managed to detain the man until his colleagues arrived.
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“I am extremely proud of his and his colleagues bravery and commitment to protecting the public, but I am very worried that there are people who are prepared to attack police officers who quite simply carrying out their duties.
“I am also deeply saddened that this has happened at a time when we have a symbol of peace, in the form of the knife angel, attracting visitors and starting conversations about knife crime throughout the city of Derby and the wider county.
“I would urge anyone who has any information about the incident to contact us without delay.”