By James HoreA POLICEWOMAN was recovering last night after she slashed with a knife in a horrific daytime attack near a park. She had just walked through Castle Park, Colchester, with a colleague when she was attacked by a woman armed with a craft knife and suffered cuts to the head.

By James Hore

A POLICEWOMAN was recovering last night after she slashed with a knife in a horrific daytime attack near a park.

She had just walked through Castle Park, Colchester, with a colleague when she was attacked by a woman armed with a craft knife and suffered cuts to the head.

It is not yet clear what triggered the knife attack, although it is understood her assailant may have been sleeping rough in the park.

The 27-year-old police officer - who has not been named, but who comes from Ipswich - was taken to Colchester General Hospital for treatment, but a force spokeswoman said her injuries were not believed to be “too serious”.

A 30-year-old special constable, who was patrolling with the officer at the time of the attack, was treated for shock.

Shocked residents and tourists witnessed the incident, which happened in Museum Street, just a few yards from Colchester Castle, just after 1pm yesterday.

Torz Reynolds, who works in Octapuss Clothing, ran from the shop when she heard the commotion outside.

“We only realised something had happened when we saw the police cars coming into the park,” she said.

“There was a robbery up at the end of the road not long back and now this, it is all a bit too close for comfort.”

Police have been carrying out high-profile patrols of Castle Park since March as part of Operation Lotus, designed to reduce the public's fears of going to a place that is often the scene of drug and alcohol abuse and anti-social behaviour.

Shortly after the attack police community support officers were out again, trying to assure the public they did not need to worry.

Gaynor Forster, a police community support officer, said: “We are just here to give people reassurance that they do not need to be afraid about coming to the park.

“There are high-visibility patrols here every day and they are continuing throughout the summer as part of Operation Lotus.”

Anyone with information about the attack should contact Colchester police on 01206 762212.

n A woman aged in her 30s was being questioned last night by police on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent in connection with the attack on the officer.

james.hore@eadt.co.uk