A police officer was stabbed with a syringe as he tried to question a man arrested on suspicion of shoplifting.
He was rushed to hospital for medical checks after the attack at police headquarters in John Street, Brighton, just after 5pm yesterday.
A spokesman said the man pulled out the syringe as he struggled and caught the officer on the wrist with it.
The contents of the needle are being analysed.
The spokesman said: "We were called to Churchill Square and the man was arrested and brought to the police station.
"He started to become obstructive and violent.
"When restrained, he somehow managed to grab the syringe and cut the officer on the wrist."
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