A man in his 50s has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a police officer with a bladed article during an incident at a petrol station in Gateshead. The altercation occurred after Northumbria Police officers stopped a vehicle of interest in the Leam Lane area on Thursday afternoon.
According to police reports, the incident began around 3:50 PM when officers were alerted to a vehicle that had attracted their attention. Upon stopping the vehicle, the driver allegedly attacked a male police officer with a bladed article, inflicting an injury to the officer’s arm. The suspect then fled the scene on foot.
The suspect was swiftly apprehended by police in the Rodsley Avenue area of Gateshead shortly after the assault. The injured officer received medical attention, and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police confirmed the arrest and emphasized that this appears to be an isolated incident with no wider threat to the community. The spokesperson added, “Shortly after 3:50 PM today (Thursday), officers were alerted to a vehicle of interest in the Leam Lane area of Gateshead. After stopping the car, the driver assaulted a male police officer with a bladed article, causing an injury to his arm. The driver fled the scene on foot but was swiftly arrested in the Rodsley Avenue area of Gateshead.
Police are continuing their investigation into the incident and have urged the public to avoid speculation, particularly on social media. The area around the incident remains under investigation, and officers have asked members of the public to respect the ongoing enquiries.
The swift arrest and the response by Northumbria Police have been praised by local residents, who expressed relief that the situation was quickly brought under control.
