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, 30, reportedly knifed a male cleaner, 56, 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 suspect was arrested nearby an hour later as the site and neighbouring businesses were put into lockdown.

Sussex police said that the injuries suffered by the staff member are not 'life-threatening'.

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

NHS workers wearing masks stand outside the hospital after the horrific incident on Sunday morning

Officers stand guard outside the hospital as it and neighbouring buildings were locked down during the manhunt

Witness Pedro Santos tweeted: 'Just had a couple fully armed police officers come into the room to check if anyone was here, must be doing a search for safety.'

Dan Dawson posted: '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 added: '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.

Police said the injuries suffered by the staff member - aged in his 50s - are not 'life-threatening'

'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.'

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals said: 'An incident took place at the Royal Sussex County Hospital this morning in which one member of staff was injured.

'The staff member is in a safe and stable state, and is being cared for in the hospital.

'The police and hospital security staff have secured the site and currently the public are not being allowed into the hospital whilst a search of the premises is carried out.

'The police have arrested one person in relation to the incident. Further updates will follow.'