Crazed knifeman stabs police sergeant in stomach then sets his house on fire as officer lays bleeding on the ground before he’s arrested for attempted murder
- Police were called to an address in Newport, South Wales at 5.15am this morning
- One police officer was injured at the scene and rushed to Royal Gwent Hospital
- Man, in his thirties, stabbed the officer in the stomach after being confronted
- The man has been arrested for the attempted murder of the officer and for arson
A crazed knifeman stabbed a police sergeant in the stomach and then set a house on fire as his victim lay bleeding on the ground.
The injured officer, 45, was able to call for back-up and his attacker was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder – while the officer was rushed to hospital with knife wounds to the abdomen.
He is in a stable condition while another officer, 33, was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.
The drama happened at a quiet street in Newport, South Wales, at 5.15am after police were called to a disturbance.
A man in his thirties, who was know to residents, was trying to get into a property known locally as a drugs den.
A police officer was taken to hospital and a man in his 30s has been charged with his attempted murder and arson after an incident in Newport, Wales this morning
When the PC arrived at the scene, he tried to reason with the man, who suddenly pulled a knife.
The officer was stabbed in the side of the stomach and collapsed to the ground – though the injury is not thought to be life threatening.
Neighbour Gavin Wilkins, 39, said: ‘I was woken up by someone smashing on my neighbour’s door.
‘He was shouting through the door. I called the police at 5.12am, and they were here within five minutes.
‘I showed them to where the person was knocking. They told me to go to my flat and stay there.
‘They kicked the door through. Armed cops and dogs turned up at around 6am.
‘He set fire to his room. You couldn’t see the stairs as it was such black smoke. You had to hold the bannister to get out.’
Another neighbour said: ‘We know this bloke and he carries a knife with him – we’ve seen him with it.
‘There was a hullabaloo about 5am and someone must have called the police.
‘The officer was stabbed in the side of the stomach – it was mayhem after that.’
Ten police vehicles, ambulances and fire engines were called to the house, close to the city centre.
Neighbours said the fire didn’t take hold and was quickly dealt with.
Forensic investigators at the scene amid a large police presence after the arson attack this morning
The police officer was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport. His family has been informed.
The lane was cordoned off while forensic officers examine the scene.
A Gwent Police spokesman said: ‘At 5.15am this morning, officers responded to a report of disorder at an address on St Vincent Lane in Newport.
‘Officers later arrested a man in his thirties from the area on suspicion of attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life. He is currently in police custody.
‘An officer was taken to The Royal Gwent Hospital having sustained injuries. His family has been notified.’
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector, Mark Johnson said: ‘We wish our officer a speedy recovery.
‘This is obviously a very concerning incident for us and our officers.
‘We have arrested a man from the Newport area on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer from Gwent Police and arson with intent to endanger life. He is currently in police custody.
‘South Wales fire and Rescue are now carrying out an investigation and I can confirm this is an isolated case and we are not looking for anyone else connected to this incident.’
DCI Johnson said it was a reminder that police were keeping communities safe around the clock despite the challenges of Covid-19.