Axe-wielding man wounds 5 police officers in Co-op supermarket mayhem in Sheffield

Five police officers have been injured, one of them seriously, while attempting to arrest a man reportedly armed with an axe in Sheffield on the evening 13 April. One female officer required surgery after receiving multiple serious injuries while responding to a domestic incident at a flat in Plowright Close in the Gleadless area of the city.

A male officer was also injured as they attempted to restrain the suspect, in his 30s, who then ran off to a nearby Co-operative supermarket. Three other male officers were also injured as they arrested the man inside the store in Blackstock Road. He remains in custody on suspicion of attempted murder.

Police said there was a "significant" police presence in the area overnight following the incident and cordons are still in place. Neil Bowles, Chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: "This is an example of officers receiving a call from a member of the pubic and not knowing what they are going to face.

"It is atrocious that we have five officers injured in the line of duty – it is an attack on society because we now have five officers unable to work now for some time while they recover. One of these officers needs to have an operation. We are fortunate that we are not looking at something even more serious.

"We have training and processes to follow but the fact remains that if you don't know what you are facing there is always going to be an element of doubt when you turn up for a job, but officers have a sense of duty – they are there to protect the public, themselves and their colleagues."

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: A man has been arrested following a domestic incident in Gleadless, Sheffield, this evening (Wednesday 13 April). Police were called to Plowright Close at around 7.50pm and made attempts to arrest a man, who is in his 30s.

"During the course of the arrest, a number of police officers were injured. They are receiving treatment for their injuries, which are not life-threatening. The injured officers' families have been informed."