A policeman had a narrow escape during a routine identity check in Sham Shui Po when a man attacked him with a cutter early yesterday.
'The blade had not been pushed out from its handle before the attack,' a police spokesman said. 'The handle slid across the policeman's neck, leaving a long red mark.'
The spokesman said the attacker then grabbed the officer with one arm and punched his head repeatedly before another officer came to his assistance.
The attacker abandoned the cutter at the scene and fled on foot after assaulting the second officer.
Yesterday's attack happened as the two police officers were patrolling in Nam Cheong Street at about 2.30am. They found a man acting suspiciously and stopped him for an identity check.
'During the inquiry, the man suddenly drew out a cutter and attacked one of the two officers. The policeman had no chance to escape,' the spokesman said.
After the attacker fled, the two officers gave chase. The man was seen running along Tai Po Road, where he flagged down a taxi. Officers mounted a search but no one was arrested.