The two male officers were attacked after being called to reports of a man with a blade near Leicester Square at about 6am this morning which was around dawn.
One of the officers who was stabbed in the arm was said to have been seriously hurt after suffering multiple injuries during the incident.
A source told MailOnline that the other one of the officers had been stabbed in the neck, but the force has not yet confirmed this. Both officers were wearing their uniform.
A Taser was deployed by arriving officers on a man aged in his 20s who was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and assaulting an emergency worker. He was taken to hospital.
Police officers at the scene of the stabbing near London’s Leicester Square this morning
Police officers at the scene in the West End this morning following the stabbing hours earlier
Horrifying footage from the scene of the stabbing shows an officer leaning against the side of a wall as three others attend to him and attempt to bandage his shoulder following the attack.
Blood can also be seen around his neck and arm.
Another clip shows a man being held down in the road by other police officers as they try to attend to him.
Next to him, blood can be seen spread around the pavement.
As police officers point and move frantically, what looks to be a pole, also covered in blood, can be seen next to the man lying down.
One police officer then picks it up and carries it away.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned what he described as an ‘utterly appalling’ attack, and urged anyone with information about what happened to contact police.
Mr Khan added that the officers do not have life threatening injuries. Detectives have launched an investigation but the incident is not being treated as terror-related.
It happened in the area of Haymarket and Coventry Street, before the man was stopped near the junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and Great Windmill Street.
Horrifying footage from the scene of the stabbing shows an officer leaning against the side of a wall as three others attend to him and attempt to bandage his shoulder following the attack
Police officers at the scene of the stabbing near London’s Leicester Square this morning
Police tape cordons off part of London’s West End this morning following the stabbing
Police vans near London’s Leicester Square at the scene of the stabbing this morning
Police officers at the scene in the West End this morning following the stabbing hours earlier
The alleged knifeman was reportedly behaving erratically when officers approached him.
He was initially compliant before pulling out a knife and launching a frenzied attack on the two officers, it was reported.
The incident was initially seen as a completely routine stop with officers attempting to try and help him before they were stabbed.
Both were unarmed and it was said that officers who arrived on the scene shortly afterwards were the ones who tasered the alleged knifeman.
In the aftermath of the stabbing, officers from outside the West End rushed into the city centre as the capital prepares to host the Queen’s funeral – considered the most challenging event police and the security services have faced in peacetime.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said today: ‘This attack on serving police officers in Soho overnight is utterly appalling. These brave officers were doing their duty and assisting the public at this momentous time for our country.
‘My thoughts and prayers are with them, their loved ones and police colleagues following this disgraceful attack. Our police officers run towards danger to protect others and keep us safe and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.’
He said he had spoken with new Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley about the ‘awful incident’ and remained in close contact with him.
Mr Khan continued: ‘Attacks against the police will not be tolerated and any perpetrators will be caught and prosecuted.
Police vans near London’s Leicester Square at the scene of the stabbing this morning
Police tape cordons off part of London’s West End this morning following the stabbing
Police vans near London’s Leicester Square at the scene of the stabbing this morning
Police tape cordons off part of London’s West End this morning following the stabbing
Police officers at the scene of the stabbing near London’s Leicester Square this morning
‘I urge anyone with information to come forward to ensure the perpetrator of this disgusting attack feels the full force of the law.’
Discussing the incident on BBC News on Friday morning, the mayor said a member of public ‘did the right thing’ and went to a police officer ‘and police officers responded’.
Much of London’s West End has been cordoned off following the stabbing.
Crime scene investigators could be seen working outside a Shake Shack burger restaurant, located opposite the M&M’s World shop in Leicester Square.
The cordon meant nearby West End theatres such as the Lyric were inaccessible this morning.
Police vans parked at Piccadilly Circus blocked motorists from driving down Shaftesbury Avenue.
Guests at the nearby Thistle Trafalgar Square hotel on Whitcomb Street were told by police they would be unable to return to their rooms today if they ventured beyond the cordon.
More than 10,000 officers are said to be on duty in London at the moment – many from Scotland and Wales – as the nation mourns Queen Elizabeth II.
There is also the added challenge of protecting the hundreds of thousands of people queuing to see the Queen’s coffin at Westminster Hall until Monday morning.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman told MailOnline today: ‘An investigation is under way after two officers were stabbed in central London.
‘On Friday, September 16 at around 6am police encountered a male with a knife in the area of Leicester Square.
‘Two officers received stab wounds and are currently being treated in hospital. We await further updates on their conditions. Their families are aware.
‘Taser was deployed and male was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and assaulting an emergency worker. He was taken to a hospital for treatment where he remains at this time.
‘Enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing. The incident is not being treated as terror related.’
Police officers at the scene of the stabbing near London’s Leicester Square this morning
Debris on the ground after the stabbing near London’s Leicester Square this morning
Police officers at the scene of the stabbing near London’s Leicester Square this morning
Police tape cordons off part of London’s West End this morning following the stabbing
Police officers at the scene of the stabbing near London’s Leicester Square this morning
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said the service was called to reports of an incident in Great Windmill Street, near Shaftsbury Avenue at 6.01am.
They added that three ambulances, a medic in a response car and London’s air ambulance were dispatched to scene and that three people were treated and taken to hospital.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said she is ‘concerned’ about the stabbings of two Metropolitan Police officers in Leicester Square in central London on Friday morning.
In a series of tweets, Ms Braverman said: ‘I am concerned about the stabbings of two Metropolitan Police Officers whilst on duty near Leicester Square and have spoken to the Commissioner about the situation.
‘Everyday, we are safer thanks to the the bravery of our policemen & women. I wish the Police Officers a swift recovery and my thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues.’
Haymarket is one of the main roads in the West End, running north from Pall Mall close to The Mall to Piccadilly Circus. It contains a number of major theatres and cinemas as well as a plethora of bars, restaurants and clubs.
Nickie Aiken, MP for Cities of London & Westminster, which covers Soho, said: ‘I’m appalled to learn of the senseless attack on two police officers while on duty in Soho.
‘I’ve spoken to the borough commander and my thoughts are with the officers, their families and colleagues.
‘Every day police officers across the country put themselves forward to keep us safe and secure. They run towards danger as we flee from it.
‘We owe them all our thanks for their duty and their bravery.
‘An attack on an officer is an attack on all of us.’
Adam Hug, leader of Westminster City Council also said: ‘I am deeply concerned to hear of the injuries to two police officers in the West End, one of whom is said to be seriously hurt.
‘Our thoughts are with the officers and their families, and we will offer any support we can.
‘This shocking incident shows once again the risk police officers run in carrying out their duties.
‘At a time when we are expecting the West End to be busier than ever, Westminster City Council supports the police in keeping our streets safe.