A police officer needed stitches after receiving cuts while chasing a knife-wielding man from a camp ground in Queenstown last night.
In a media statement, Otago Lakes area commander Inspector Olaf Jensen said the officer suffered "large lacerations" to his arm from a knife in the incident, which occurred at the Man St campground about 11.30pm.
Insp Jensen said police were at the campground on an unrelated matter when the officer spotted a man behaving suspiciously outside a cabin.
When approached, the man fled towards Thompson St, then west along Thompson St, refusing orders to stop.
The officer grabbed the man’s arm as he climbed over a fence above Brunswick Street, dislodging a knife.
The man fled along Brunswick St towards the Queenstown CBD.
The officer only noticed his injuries, which required eight stitches, after returning to his vehicle.
He then returned to the fence to find a large kitchen knife.
"This is a serious incident involving a member of our staff who sustained injury while performing his duty to protect the public," Insp Jensen said.
The offender is described as 170-180cm tall. He was wearing a dark beanie, a dark long-sleeved hoodie and dark pants.
Information can be provided to Detective Lisa Watt (03) 471-4800, Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or Queenstown police (03) 441-1600
