Man arrested after two officers injured while responding to incident in Greenock

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Colleagues have praised the “incredible bravery” of two police officers who were allegedly stabbed while responding to a routine call in a residential street in Scotland.



Kenny MacKenzie, a police officer who was stabbed in Greenock, Scotland

A 43-year-old man has been arrested after the incident in Greenock, Inverclyde, which left 43-year-old Kenny MacKenzie in a serious condition after being stabbed in the neck and 39-year-old Laura Sayer with minor arm injuries.

Sayer is still on her probationary period with Police Scotland, having served six months with the force.

Laura Sayer a police officer who was stabbed in Greenock, Scotland. Photograph: Handout

Assistant chief constable Bernard Higgins, who visited both officers in hospital on Friday afternoon, said their injuries were not life-threatening but “significant and serious” and that they were in “remarkable good spirits”.

Higgins added: “I am blown away by the courage of them. They said ‘we are in the police and we accept that comes with a degree of risk’. I was very moved and proud to speak with them.”

Police were called to Gateside Gardens at about 8.45am on Friday. The two injured officers were taken to the nearby Inverclyde Royal hospital.

Police Scotland said the incident was not terror-related. Officers remained at the scene with a large section of Gateside Gardens cordoned off. At one point, 15 emergency vehicles were reported to be in attendance.

Police Scotland’s deputy chief constable, Iain Livingstone, who is the force’s interim chief, praised the officers.

DCC Iain Livingstone (@DCCLivingstone) Incredible bravery from police officers in Greenock this morning. All of @policescotland officers and staff thinking of them and their families. Courage, protecting their fellow citizens #publicservice

Andrea MacDonald, the chair of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “Our thoughts are with the injured officers and their families. 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.”

The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, tweeted her best wishes for a full recovery to the officers, 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.”