POLICE have launched a manhunt after an officer had their throat sliced with a knife.

Cleveland Police are frantically trying to find Aaron Gray, 30, who is wanted in connection with a report of an incident where an police officer was assaulted with a knife.

The male officer spotted an alleged drug deal taking place on Athol Street, in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, at around 8.30pm on Saturday (June 19) and went to intervene.

He was attempting to make an arrest when the officer said he was punched to the ground and pinned down by two men.

He said the man who punched him then held a knife to his throat and cut it while making threats to the officer.

The identities of two of the three men involved are currently unknown, but police said they are "urgently" trying to find Gray.

Cleveland Police first launched an appeal to find the 30-year-old on Sunday (June 19) and then revealed yesterday that Gray was wanted in connection with the reported assault, giving more details on what happened.

Gray is from the Middlesbrough area, known to frequent Newport and Linthorpe, and thought to still be in the town.

Detective Superintendent Helen Barker said: “This was an incident which involved an officer who was simply carrying out his policing duties.

“Thankfully he was not seriously physically injured however, understandably, he remains very shaken.

"He is recovering at home and has received many messages of support from colleagues across the force.

“We need to locate and speak to Gray as quickly as possible.

"We believe he remains in the local area, probably within Middlesbrough.

"People will know where he is, and I’d urge them to pass information to Cleveland Police via the 101-number quoting Reference 100917.

“If they would rather not speak to police, information can be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by phoning 0800 555 111.”