Police in Northern Ireland are investigating the attempted murder of one of their officers in Derry last night.
An attempt was made to stab the officer in the torso with a hunting knife as he attempted to make an arrest for breach of bail.
He was saved by his body armour.
A colleague sustained a slash wound to the leg which required stitches.
They were part of a team sent to an address at Collon Lane in Derry at around 2am to arrest a 21-year-old man wanted for breach of bail on charges of common assault and grievous bodily harm.
When they arrived, the situation quickly deteriorated as the suspect first struck one of the police officers and resisted arrest.
Officers used pepper spray and batons to subdue him.
As they were making the arrest the suspect produced the hunting knife with a five-inch serrated blade and attacked the two policemen.
"The second officer was hit on his body armour by this hunting knife. It's really only for the presence of this body armour that the officer hasn't been seriously injured or worse," said Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton.
The second officer's leg lacerations needed hospital treatment.
Mr Singleton said the use of the knife had demonstrated "malicious, malign intent".
The person who used the knife has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
A number of other officers who attended found a second man who was also wanted for a bail breach.
This man also assaulted police including spitting on one of them.
He also later assaulted a civilian custody officer.
Last week, the PSNI said there had been 2,500 assaults on its officers during the past 12 months.
It wants to recruit additional armed response officers, which it says are best equipped to deal with potentially violent situations.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the knife attack and attempted murder in Derry is "completely and utterly reprehensible".
"This appalling act in no way reflects the people of Derry.
"I want to extend my best wishes to both officers as they recover, and to their families and colleagues, who will be deeply affected by this incident," Ms O'Neill said.
