Police officer rushed to hospital after being assaulted in 'despicable' attack in Stevenston

A police officer has been rushed to hospital after being stabbed while responding to a reported break-in.

The female officer, aged 30, was taken to hospital in Glasgow after the serious assault in the early hours of Wednesday morning while on duty in Ayrshire.

The incident occurred on Arthur Street in Stevenston when the officer attended a property with two colleagues.

An investigation has been launched to find those responsible.

Chief superintendent Raymond Higgins, divisional commander for Ayrshire, described the attack as “despicable” and said on-duty assault of officers “will not be tolerated”.

He said: “In the early hours of Wednesday, October 18, three officers attended a report of a break-in at a property on Arthur Street, Stevenston.

“While carrying out enquiries a 30-year-old female officer was seriously assaulted and was taken to hospital in Glasgow for treatment, where she remains in a stable condition.

“This was a despicable attack on an on-duty officer and our enquiries are ongoing to trace the person responsible.

“Assault is not simply part of the job for police officers, it’s not acceptable and it will not be tolerated. This officer was carrying out her role, serving local communities and protecting the public, when the incident happened.”