Police officer stabbed on 1am callout - with suspect held for 'attempted murder'

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a police officer was stabbed.

A 42-year-old is suspected of the late-night attack in Eastbourne, Sussex, in the early hours of Monday morning.

The officer was responding to a call-out in the town when he was "seriously" stabbed in the leg.

After the 1am attack, the injured officer managed to self-administer medical treatment as his two colleagues gave chase and eventually arrested the suspect.

The cop was then taken to Brighton's Royal Sussex County Hospital.

The force have made an appeal as they try to track down witnesses to the attack.

CCTV images have been released as police believe people in the area may have talked to the suspect before the attack.

Chief Constable Jo Shiner said: "The events overnight starkly demonstrate the risk that all police officers and frontline staff face every day whilst performing their duties to protect the public.

"It is thanks to comprehensive training and the fast thinking of those at the scene that I am not reporting something far more serious today.

"The injured officer was able to move away and self-administer medical intervention whilst his two junior colleagues - both just 15 months into their policing careers - apprehended the suspect.

"The actions of all three officers, as well as colleagues who swiftly came to their aid, are to be commended."

The suspect remained in custody on Monday morning.

Detectives are keen to speak to a number of people seen on CCTV in Terminus Road shortly before the assault took place, the force said on their website.