A Metropolitan Police Community Support Officer has been stabbed while on duty in central London.
A Metropolitan Police Community Support Officer has been stabbed while on duty in central London.
The man, thought to be in his 30s, was attacked near Lloyds Bank in Victoria Street at 1000 BST.
The man, thought to be in his 30s, was attacked near Lloyds Bank in Victoria Street at 1000 BST.
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said the officer had been taken to hospital, but his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said the officer had been taken to hospital, but his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
Victoria Street has been cordoned off at the junction with Bressenden Place and police are searching the area.
Victoria Street has been cordoned off at the junction with Bressenden Place and police are searching the area.
Police cordon
Sniffer dogs
A large public square in front of Westminster Cathedral has also been cordoned off.
A large public square in front of Westminster Cathedral has also been cordoned off.
Up to eight police vehicles, including two recovery lorries, are at the scene as well as officers with sniffer dogs.
Up to eight police vehicles, including two recovery lorries, are at the scene as well as officers with sniffer dogs.
The spokeswoman said: "At approximately 9.56am in Victoria Street outside Lloyds Bank, a male Police Community Support Officer was stabbed.
The spokeswoman said: "At approximately 9.56am in Victoria Street outside Lloyds Bank, a male Police Community Support Officer was stabbed.
"London Ambulance Service attended. He has been taken to a central London hospital suffering from what are believed to be non life-threatening injuries."
"London Ambulance Service attended. He has been taken to a central London hospital suffering from what are believed to be non life-threatening injuries."
Police said they had not yet interviewed the officer about what happened.
Police said they had not yet interviewed the officer about what happened.
One witness said she saw paramedics treating an injured man who was then taken away in an ambulance.
'Punching the driver'
Tracey Harmer, who saw the attack, said she saw a man in his 20s walking in the middle of the road following a police van.
"The van was stationary in traffic and he caught up with the driver's side window.
"He put his arm up and the next minute he looked like he was punching the driver."
She said the man then ran off towards the cathedral with an officer in pursuit.
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