A police officer has been stabbed in an incident outside an east London railway station.
British Transport Police (BTP) said the male officer was approached by a suspect outside Ilford Station and attacked with a knife.
The officer was taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment for his injuries, which are not thought to life-threatening.
A man has been arrested over the incident, BTP said.
Counter-terrorism police are not involved at this stage, it is understood.
Police officer stabbed outside Ilford Railway Station, around 9.45pm last night (Friday). We’re you there? Did you witness the attack? Man has been arrested. Text BTP on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40 – quote 659 of 23/11/2018
— British Transport Police (@BTP) November 24, 2018
Witnesses described seeing the bloodied officer outside the station as it was put on “complete lockdown”.
Another tweeted: “At Ilford station… just come outside and all I see is someone on the floor, blood and police.”
Footage shared on social media showed a man being restrained on the floor as more officers arrived.
The incident comes amid concerns of an increase in attacks on police officers amid a rise in violent crime across London.
⚠️ UPDATE 23 November – 22:30 ⚠️
Due to an incident at Ilford Station, the main entrance is closed.
However it’s still possible to use the York Road entrance to enter and exit the station.
Thanks.
— TfL Rail (@TfLRail) November 23, 2018
“Officers are appealing for information after a BTP police officer was stabbed outside Ilford Station earlier this evening,” the force said.
“Around 9.45pm this evening a male officer was approached whilst on duty outside Ilford Station and was attacked with a knife.
“The London Ambulance Service has taken the officer to hospital, where he is being treated for his injuries, which are not thought to be life threatening.
“A man has been arrested.”
Following a recent incident where an officer was kicked into a road, close to the path of a bus, Metropolitan Police Federation Ken Marsh called for officers to be given greater support.
He previously warned of a “breakdown in society” after two officers were attacked as they tried to apprehend a suspect in Hackney.
“There is an element of people out there who just have no respect whatsoever and don’t care,” he said.
“They don’t care about their actions, don’t care how they behave and don’t care about the consequences and we are left to face that twenty-four hours a day seven days a week.”
