Man charged after officer attacked with axe in Bermondsey

A man has been charged with attempted murder after police officers were attacked with an axe and bitten by a dog.

At 15:21hrs on Sunday, 1 March, emergency response officers from the Central South command unit attended an address in the Dickens Estate, Marine Street, Bermondsey, in connection with an ongoing investigation.

When they attended the property, two officers were bitten by a dog. One of the officers was also attacked by a man armed with axes.

A man in his 40s was Tasered by officers at the scene and arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

A dog, believed to be a Cane Corso breed, was seized and taken to police kennels.

Two of the officers suffered injuries caused by an axe and the dog, and were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing and they have since been discharged from hospital. A third officer suffered a minor injury which did not require further treatment.

Stephen Coombes, 43 (16.11.82), of Marine Street, Bermondsey, has been charged with attempted murder, being in charge of a dog that caused injury while dangerously out of control, a racially aggravated Public Order Act offence, and harassment to put in fear of violence. He is expected to appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court this afternoon, Monday, 2 March.