Man charged with attempted murder of two police officers stabbed in Greenock

A man has been charged with the attempted murder of two police officers in Scotland.

Police constables Laura Sayer, 39, and Kenny MacKenzie, 43, were both seriously injured after reportedly being stabbed while responding to an incident at an address in Gateside Gardens, Greenock, Inverclyde, on Friday morning.

A 43-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder in connection to the incident and is due to appear at Greenock Sheriff Court on Monday.

Pc Sayer, who has six months' service with Police Scotland, and Pc MacKenzie, who has been an officer for nine years, have both been praised for their “incredible bravery”.

The pair were initially taken to the nearby Royal Inverclyde Hospital but one has since been transferred to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for further treatment.

They are both expected to be released from hospital on Saturday.

After visiting the two officers, Chief Superintendent Gordon Crossan, the local policing commander for Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, said they were both in "remarkable spirits".

"Both officers are in remarkable spirits despite what they have been through and are very appreciative of all the well wishes they have received from people across the country," he said.

"They will be released later today [Saturday] into the care of their families and will receive support from Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Federation.

"Pc Sayer and Pc MacKenzie thank everyone for their support and ask for privacy while they recover at home."

Pc Sayer will undergo a minor surgical procedure before she is released, while Pc MacKenzie is also expected to be discharged later on Saturday, Police Scotland confirmed.

Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins, who visited both officers on Friday, said: “I'm blown away by the courage of them; I was actually very moved and proud to speak with them."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also sent her best wishes, adding: "This is a reminder of the vital but often dangerous job our police men and women do, and what a huge debt of gratitude we owe to them."

Police stressed Friday’s incident was not terror-related and that there was no risk to the wider public.

Andrea MacDonald, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “Once again we see how difficult and dangerous a job it is.

“Police officers put themselves between other professionals and the public and dangerous individuals, sometimes with life-changing consequences for themselves and their families.

“We wish our colleagues a speedy and full recovery.”

Police Scotland has referred the incident to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.

A report will also be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.