TWO police officers were "slashed repeatedly" in front of crying children in a terrifying attack at a shopping centre today, shocked eyewitnesses said.
The officers were injured after reportedly intervening in a row between two men at New Square shopping centre in West Bromwich, West Mildands.
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Two police officers have been injured after a "serious incident" at a shopping centre in West Bromwich today Credit: SnapperSK 4
Video showed a suspect being arrested at the centre today Credit: Aram Khader/Facebook
The cops were on patrol around 11.30am when they approached two men acting suspiciously.
Terrified shoppers told of "chaotic scenes" during the horrifying attack at the busy retail centre this morning.
Three people were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder with video taken at the scene appearing to show a suspect being detained.
One onlooker claimed the officers were attacked with a knife after confronting one of the men.
'TERRIFYING'
He said: "He had a blade and he was swinging it everywhere - head, neck, back, arms.
"One of the police officers seemed to be bleeding quite badly.
"It was just absolute chaos. People were screaming and children were crying.
"He was pinned down quick enough and held until back-up arrived. It was over quite quickly but it was still terrifying.
"Some shops locked the doors with customers inside until it was safe to come out."
It was just absolute chaos. People were screaming and children were crying
An eyewitness
Two men, aged 41 and 37, and a 31-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Firearms officers swooped on the shopping centre within seconds of the attack.
One cop was seen with a serious neck wound as the centre's shops were placed in lockdown.
New Square shopping centre's management confirmed arrests were made following the incident, which left two police officers requiring medical treatment.
Emergency services were scrambled with an air ambulance reportedly landing nearby.
'TERRIBLE'
One witness said: "It was terrible, saw one copper with what looked like a bad injury to his neck.
"I'm glad there were arrests.I felt sorry for the little children who were scared, it was awful for them to see."
Another said: "Very scary in Primark. Everyone ran to the back of the shop and someone shouted there was a bomb."
The police officers were rushed to hospital for treatment after being treated at the scene by paramedics.
Photos from the scene show police clothing heaped on a pavement outside a shop.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Ambulance crews arrived to find two male police officers with non-serious injuries.
"They were given treatment on scene before being conveyed to hospital by land ambulance for further checks.”
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Police have beefed up patrols in the area and mounted a CCTV trawl after this morning's chilling attack.
Section 60 stop and search powers were put in place in parts of West Bromwich town centre.
Chief Superintendent Ian Green said: “Fortunately both officers received minor injuries but are understandably shaken by today’s incident as I’m sure other officers and staff are, as well as our communities."
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The shocking incident happened this morning around 10am Credit: SnapperSK 4
Police were scrambled to the shopping centre this morning Credit: SnapperSK
Police on scene after two cops attacked with knife in West Bromwich