Two 15-year-old boys will appear in court today after a police officer was stabbed as she attempted to detain them while they allegedly tried to rob a grocery store.
Two officers were in Westminster when they were said to have seen the youngsters armed with knives attempting to rob the shop on Sunday afternoon.
The shopkeeper at Pimlico Grocery had managed to push the suspects out of the store and the officers then tried to detain them shortly after 3.30pm.
As they challenged the boys, police said one of the officers suffered a stab wound to the stomach but continued to chase the suspects along Vauxhall Bridge Road.
The suspects were detained a short time later with the assistance of firearms officers, and are due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court today.
Police investigate at Pimlico Grocery in Westminster yesterday following the stabbing
Police said the officer was taken to hospital, adding that her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening and she had since been discharged.
One of the 15-year-old suspects, from Barking, was charged with grievous bodily harm against a police officer and assault by beating of an emergency worker.
He was also charged with attempted robbery, threatening a person with a blade or sharply pointed article in a public place, assault by beating and criminal damage.
The second boy, from Hampshire, was charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker, attempted robbery and assault by beating.
A forensic officer dusts a door frame at Pimlico Grocery yesterday inside the police cordon
In addition, he was charged with criminal damage and threatening a person with a blade or sharply pointed article in a public place.
Chief Inspector Simon Brooker said: 'This shows precisely the kind of danger officers face every single day as they work to keep the public safe.
'For this officer to be stabbed on duty is unacceptable but, fortunately, she does not appear to be seriously injured.
'I applaud her bravery in responding to this call. This courage is typical of Met officers as they go about their duties.'
The injured police officer has been commended for her bravery during yesterday's incident
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: 'My thoughts and prayers are with this brave police officer who is receiving treatment in hospital after she was stabbed while on duty, intervening in a robbery, this afternoon.
'Every day our courageous police officers put themselves in harm's way to keep Londoners safe.
'I am sure all Londoners will join me in wishing her a speedy recovery.
'Attacks on our police are utterly unacceptable and perpetrators will feel the full force of the law.'