Man Charged After 'Off Duty Police Officer' Stabbed Three Times On Own Doorstep

25 April 2019, 15:28 | Updated: 26 April 2019, 08:18

An employee of Essex Police has been seriously injured after suffering suffered serious stab wounds to his stomach, chest and arm.

Police have charged John McCartney, 39, of Eastwood Road, Rayleigh, with the attempted murder of an off-duty police officer. He will appear at Southend Magistrates' Court on Friday morning.

The victim remains in a stable condition in hospital.

Essex Live report an anonymous witness told reporters: "A person knocked on the door and stabbed an off-duty police officer three times in the chest."

The incident happened at an address in Church Road, in Rayleigh.

Witnesses reported several armed units, 12 police cars and two ambulances rushing to the street where a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Essex Police Chief Constable BJ Harrington said: "Our focus has been his welfare and the welfare of his family, as well as the ongoing live investigation, and that will continue.

"I can however confirm we have a man in custody who has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

"We believe this attack was targeted and that the officer and the suspect are known to each other. There is no wider risk to the local community or other police officers as a result of this incident.

"Our officer is in a stable condition in hospital and we are hopeful will make a full recovery."

A spokesperson for Essex Police said detectives believe the incident was targeted and isolated and there is no wider risk to the local community. "We are not seeking anyone else in connection with this incident."