Man is arrested after staff member was stabbed inside Royal Sussex hospital

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after an NHS worker was stabbed inside a hospital.

The attacker reportedly knifed a male cleaner on the 11th floor of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton at around 8.40am.

Witnesses said armed police swooped on the scene at around 9am as they hunted the alleged knifeman.

A 30-year-old man was arrested nearby an hour later as the site and neighbouring businesses were put into lockdown.

Dan Dawson, who reported the incident on Twitter, wrote: ‘Disgusting to think they’ve been working so hard fighting the virus only to be attacked. Thoughts with the and their family.’

Lewes District Lib Dem Councillor Sean Maclead tweeted: ‘My wife works at the Sussex County hospital, they have been absolute hero’s all the staff through this crisis, for someone to go into the hospital and stab a member of staff is frightening. Thoughts and Prayers are with the victim.’

Sussex Police said: ‘At 8.42am on Sunday (19 July) police were called to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton after a report that a member of staff had sustained a stab wound.

The attacker reportedly knifed the worker on the 11th floor of the building at around 8.40am

‘The hospital site was quickly secured while officers have been working with security staff to confirm that nobody else has been injured, and that staff and patients are safe.

‘Following immediate police searches and enquiries a 30-year-old man was arrested in nearby Wilson Avenue at 9.40am on suspicion of attempted murder, and is currently in custody for interview and further enquiries.

‘This apparently isolated and unexplained incident is not being treated as terrorism at this time and there is currently nothing to suggest that any other person has been involved or that anyone else is at risk.’

An update on the victim’s condition is expected later today, police said.

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