A police officer sustained a stab wound to the leg, requiring stitches in hospital, during an operation in the Collon Lane area of L’Derry in the early hours of yesterday, Thursday, 27 November 2025.

The officer was one of four police officers and a custody detention officer assaulted during the apprehension of two aggressive males, who have since been arrested on suspicion of multiple offences, including attempted murder.

Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton confirmed that police were conducting enquiries regarding a wanted person when the violence erupted. An officer initially speaking with a man at the property was struck in the face, resulting in a bloodied nose, after the suspect became aggressive and swung out.

When police attempted to arrest the suspect inside the flat, they deployed PAVA spray due to his demonstrated violence.

Deputy Chief Constable Singleton detailed the near-fatal escalation: "The suspect refused to show his hands, and subsequently produced a knife and attempted to stab an officer to his torso. Had the officer not been wearing his protective body equipment, the consequences of this attack could have been far more serious." During the detention of the 21-year-old suspect, an officer suffered the stab wound to the leg. This man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of several offences.

Officers then entered the kitchen area, where they located a 20-year-old man who was wanted for breach of bail. When approached, he struck out at two officers with his hand. Once detained, he spat on an officer’s glasses. He was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, and later spat at another officer and assaulted a custody detention officer upon arrival at the station.

Following a search of the property, a quantity of Class A, B and C drugs were located and removed for forensic examination. Both suspects remain in custody as enquiries continue, with Deputy Chief Constable Singleton pledging the "shameful attacks" will be investigated rigorously.

He concluded by highlighting the danger faced by officers: "The officer who was stabbed in the leg was very fortunate – this disgusting attack had the clear potential to cause life-changing or even fatal injuries... Just last week we highlighted there were over 2,500 assaults on our officers and staff in the last 12 months– and now we are dealing with another violent attack. This is totally unacceptable, and must stop."