Police Officer Left Needing Surgery After Axe-Wielding Maniac Goes On Rampage

A police officer was left needing surgery and four more were injured after they were attacked by an axe-wielding suspect they were trying to arrest.

The officers had been called to a ‘domestic incident’ in Sheffield yesterday.

As soon as they arrived at the property, one of them was assaulted by a man who was apparently wielding an axe. He then fled to a nearby Co-op, where he hurled missiles at staff and customers.

Officers attempted to arrest him at the store, but they too were injured. It is understood he managed to grab one of the officer’s batons and use it against them.

He was eventually arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

A woman officer was left with 'multiple serious injuries’ and is due to be operated on today.

Aftermath: The blood-stained floor of the shop

Neil Bowles, chairman of the South Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said although the her injuries were serious, they were not life-threatening.

Mr Bowles said: 'This is an example of officers receiving a call from a member of the pubic and not knowing what they are going to face.

'It is atrocious that we have five officers injured in the line of duty - it is an attack on society because we now have five officers unable to work now for some time while they recover.

'One of these officers needs to have an operation, today. We are fortunate that we are not looking at something even more serious.

'We have training and processes to follow but the fact remains that if you don’t know what you are facing there is always going to be an element of doubt when you turn up for a job, but officers have a sense of duty – they are there to protect the public, themselves and their colleagues.’

Scene of the crime: The store remained closed following the incident

Locals said they believed the incident began at a maisonette in a block about 200m from the store and the woman officer was injured in that flat.

Meanwhile, rumours circulated on social media with locals saying a man was wielding an axe, with one writing on Twitter: ’(@courtneyvanes) Some crazy axe man on loose today, Sheffield u never cease to amaze me (sic).’

Liam Keyworth (@Sylence01) also wrote: 'What the actual f*** is happening to Sheffield at the minute. Murder here, axe wielding maniac there. Sometimes I hate this city and humanity.’

A witness who was in the Co-op said the man started 'smashing bottles and cans and throwing cans at the shop manager’.

They added: 'A copper was screaming on the floor with blood all over him.’
She said another team of five officers then entered the store an used an incapacitant spray to restrain the man.

Describing the situation, Chris Wright posted: 'I was next door to where you officer received treatment on gleadless tonight hope the officer has a speedy recovery.’

A South Yorkshire Policeman confirmed: 'A woman police officer remains in hospital with serious injuries today following an incident in Gleadless, Sheffield, last night.

'The Sheffield PC suffered multiple serious injuries while responding to a domestic incident in Plowright Close at around 7.50pm last night, where a man was reportedly armed with an axe.

The statement went on: 'There was a significant police presence in the area overnight and cordons are still in place at the scene. We’d like to thank residents in the street and close by for their patience.’

Witnesses should call South Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 959 of Wednesday 13 April 2016.

Pictures from SWNS