Off-duty police officer stabbed in South East London as he tried to stop moped gang from robbing man

A HEROIC off-duty cop has been stabbed in the leg while trying to stop a street robbery by a moped gang in South London.

The 37-year-old was attacked as he tackled a group of four males trying to steal another scooter from a man on Maylons Road, Lewisham.

The brave cop continued to confront the thugs even after he was stabbed with a "large" kitchen knife as they fled the scene, police said.

He was taken to a South London hospital where his injuries were described as neither life-threatening or life-changing.

According to police, the 21-year-old victim of the attempted robbery suffered bruising after being attacked by the ruthless gang.

The incident is now being probed by Lewisham Police and enquiries are underway to identify those responsible.

Officers are keen to hear from anyone who either witnessed the incident or has information that could assist the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call Lewisham Police by dialling 101 quoting reference CAD5786/11AUG, tweet @MetCC, or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

The brave cop has become the latest victim of the capital's knife crime epidemic.

Fresh Met figures show that blade attacks have surged by 16 per cent.

Excluding those killed in terror attacks including London Bridge, Westminster and Manchester, there was still a 12 per cent rise in murders - the highest numbers in a decade.

The total number of offences involving a knife or bladed instrument that have been recorded by cops in the year to March 2018 rose to 40,147, a seven-year-high.

At least 51 people have been fatally stabbed in London since the beginning of the year.

So far in 2018 there have been 1,299 stabbings in London up to the end of April, according to official statistics from the Met Police.

London is also proving to be a hot bed for the scooter attacks which are up 1,000 per cent in three years across the country.

The UK capital saw 16,000 scooter attacks in 2017 - up from just 1,053 in 2014.

Motorcycles have been used in crimes such as phone snatches, gem store raids and acid attacks.

Authorities told  last year that one gang carried out 30 robberies in the capital within an hour period.

In October 2016, a man was jailed for snatching 21 phones in one hour while riding a moped before he was chased down by a police helicopter.

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