Police officer stabbed in wood
A police officer has been stabbed after investigating reports of a man acting suspiciously in a wood on the outskirts of Dunstable, Bedfordshire.

A woman with a dog flagged down the patrol car in Beech Road early on Monday evening to raise the alarm.

The officer went into the wood and was attacked by a man who hit him over the head and slashed his stomach, a police spokesman said.

Police are appealing for the woman who raised the alarm to come forward.

The officer, who is in his 30s, used his CS spray but the offender escaped.

His radio was smashed so he used his mobile telephone to call for help and was taken to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital in a semi-conscious state.

He was released from hospital on Monday night, but is expected to be off work for some time, the spokesman said.

Det Insp Mick Roach, investigating, said: "This was an unprovoked attack on an unarmed officer who was simply doing his job. His injuries could have been far worse and it is essential we trace the woman who raised the alarm.

"We would reassure residents that patrols have been stepped up, the mobile police station is in the area and a full team of officers are working on this case."

The offender is described as black and may have been suffering the effects of CS spray after the attack, such as watering and eyes and a running nose, police said.

glad that it werent worse, could have been tragic. makes you wonder what the guy was up to though

Poor guy, hope he gets well soon.

proves the importance of a steb vest

Ditto that 01mterr1

If only we were issued with them, glad to hear its not too serious

Yep, lucky guy, could have been far worse. Al just say the word and I'll have one in the post for you, (PM, MSN or email me if you want) that's outragious that you haven't got a personal issue stabbie.

Kitman

I got a bullet vest instead, but ordinary uniform patrols have nothing. They're trialing different stabbies in some stations at the moment but 10-15 years before they're standard issue

Cheers for the offer though much appreciated

F£<k me! Even us backwards Met Plums have got dual vests.

And yet our minister for justice is insisting on spending millions on the garda reserve when the money is needed to properly equip regular officers first

We have had personal issue for a few years now.

Same with us, got to be at least four years.
I pick my new vest up on the 7th, as i'm an AFO I get a better vest with higher ballistic protection.
Excellent news if I get shot but not good in the sunny weather.

Bet that cop wished he had a gun.

Usually I agree with you Norm, bunut he was hit over the head so having a gun probably wouldn't of helped him and he may of been shot with his own weapon afterwards.

The posted article did not say that. Plus the Officer had time to use his OC. If he could have reached for a handgun instead iof an aresol can, this story might have turned out different.