Man charged after allegedly stabbing police officer in the back at Sydney's Central train station
A man has been charged after allegedly stabbing a NSW police officer in the back with a hunting knife at Sydney's Central railway station last night.
Police Transport Command officers were dealing with an unrelated matter on a platform when a 53-year-old man allegedly approached Constable Hayden Edwards and stabbed him from behind about 6.45pm.
The 30-year-old officer, from Moree in northern NSW, was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital where he underwent surgery for a six centimetre cut to his back overnight.
Constable Hayden Edwards was stabbed at Central train station in Sydney. NSW Police
He is now recovering and in a stable condition.
The alleged offender used a 45cm hunting knife, Assistant Commissioner Karen Webb said.
The officer was stabbed with a 45cm hunting knife. Nine
"Having seen an image of that knife - our officer is very lucky to only have minor injuries," Ms Webb said today.
"(It) was an unprovoked attack. (We) allege the offender has approached with some vigour."
The officer was stabbed at Central railway station in Sydney. AAP
The alleged attacker was arrested at the scene and taken to St Vincent's Hospital where he was treated for a cut to his head.
He has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful arrest, resist arrest, and custody of a knife in a public place.
Constable Hayden Edwards was taken to St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. Nine
Const Edwards, who has been with the police force for three years, only recently moved to Sydney after transferring from Moree.
Chief Inspector Paul Carrett said the "very competent" young officer was sore and tired after the attack.
"A stabbing of a police officer - unprovoked - is a very serious matter," Insp Carrett said alongside Ms Webb.
The police union described the attack as "cowardly" and said it highlighted the dangers police officers face on the job.
"The offender has just walked up behind the police officer, who was doing his job talking to someone else, and stabbed him in the back," Police Association of NSW president Tony King told reporters in Sydney today.
"It's a cowardly act from behind."
Police were called to the railway station about 6.45pm after reports of an assault. AAP
A Sydney Trains employee who witnessed part of the incident said the alleged attacker was tasered by police.
"I just saw this Caucasian guy wielding a knife and the cops were trying to pacify him but he wouldn't stop," the man told ABC TV on Friday.
"He didn't stop so he was tasered."
The matter does not appear to be terror-related.
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