A police officer stabbed a number of times with a machete in a “sudden and brutal attack” is no longer in life-threatening condition, Scotland Yard has said.
The officer who suffered stab wounds after being attacked following a vehicle stop remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
He is “seriously injured but he will make a recovery”, Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Tucker said.
The officer was stabbed about midnight on Thursday after attempting to stop a van at the junction of Coopers Lane and Leyton High Road in Leyton, east London.
The vehicle’s driver, aged in his 50s, failed to stop and then got out of the van and injured the officer with the machete, police said.
The policeman managed to use his Taser despite having been stabbed, with the alleged attacker then arrested by another officer.
The injured officer, aged in his 30s, was taken to hospital by ambulance.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was “utterly appalled by this sickening attack”.
He added: “This attack on a police officer, who showed tremendous bravery by continuing to defend others even whilst being attacked himself, is a reminder that our police risk their personal safety every time they go to work.
“They deserve our full support and gratitude.”
Boris Johnson has also offered his “sympathies” to the police officer.
He said: “What this underscores for me is the bravery of our police, people who actually go towards danger to keep us safer.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted she was “absolutely horrified” by the stabbing.
“His courage in the face of danger shows how police put their lives on the line to protect us every day. I wish the officer a full recovery & my thoughts are with him,” she said.
The incident happened outside the flat of Muhammad Faisal and his family. They were woken up just after midnight by the noise and witnessed what he described as a “shocking” scene.
“We saw more than 10 to 15 police cars and an ambulance. The scene was shocking,” he said.
“We saw someone lying on the road. Next to him was his police uniform.
“They were providing him assistance to his head. We didn’t see the wound, but we saw a lot of blood.”
“I saw one police officer was holding a knife. It was a machete,” he added, describing the blade as “around a foot long”.
The Metropolitan Police said the police officer’s next of kin have been informed.
The driver, who did not require hospital treatment, has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and taken to an east London police station.
A crime scene remains in place in the area.
Police have said there is nothing to suggest the incident is terrorism related.
Detectives investigating the attack are appealing for witnesses and police are particularly keen to hear from those who have captured footage of the incident to come forward.
Inspector Julia James from Met’s north east command unit, said: “This was a sudden and brutal attack on a uniformed officer carrying out their duties. What began as a routine vehicle stop has transformed very quickly and unexpectedly into an unprovoked attack with a weapon.
“Our thoughts are with the injured officer and his family and we wish him a full recovery. I would like to commend his bravery and resilience especially as he managed to draw a taser, despite being repeatedly stabbed, to prevent the suspect harming anyone else and to protect himself from further injury.
“My colleagues came to work that evening to protect and serve the community. Events such as this highlight the courageous work that police do every day, sometimes having to confront violent and dangerous individuals, who are determined to do them harm.
“This incident highlights the very real risk that police officers can be confronted with on a daily basis and the courage and professionalism officers demonstrate when doing their job.
“I would urge any witnesses to the incident to contact police via 101 quoting CAD3/8August or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.”
Metropolitan Police Federation Chairman Ken Marsh said: “This is horrific news. Police officers across London are out there every day at risk protecting the public – and sadly yet again a Metropolitan Police officer has suffered a severe injury on duty.
He added: “Enough is enough. Police officers should be going home at the end of their shifts. Not to hospital.”