Two police officers stabbed in central London

Two police officers have been stabbed in central London this morning after they encountered a man with a knife near Leicester Square.

A taser was deployed, and a man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and assaulting an emergency worker.

The suspect was taken to hospital for treatment where he remains, according to police.

The officers are currently being treated in hospital. The Met Police added: “We await further updates on their conditions.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said they were called out to reports of an incident in Great Windmill Street at 6.01am.

They said three ambulances, a medic in a response car and London’s air ambulance were dispatched to the scene.

London mayor Sadiq Khan has condemned the attack ‘utterly appalling’ and ‘disgraceful’, saying in a statement this morning: “These brave officers were doing their duty and assisting the public at this momentous time for our country.

“Attacks against the police will not be tolerated and any perpetrators will be caught and prosecuted.”

Khan added that he had spoken with the new police commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, about the incident and remained in close contact, urging anyone with information to come forward.

Police said inquiries into the ‘circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing’.

This comes as central London prepares for the late Queen Elizabeth’s funeral on Monday September 19th.