A man has been charged following the alleged stabbing of a police officer in Cairns.

The officer was taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition.

Police report at around 2.20pm, officers were conducting foot patrols at a shopping centre on McLeod Street.

The man was engaged in conversation with the 50-year old senior constable before allegedly stabbing him in the stomach, chest and neck.

The 22-year-old man was located by police at a nearby address a short time later where he was arrested and taken to hospital for further assessment.

The man has been charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, possessing a knife in a public place, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of tainted property.

He is expected to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court today.

Superintendent Chris Hodgman said the investigation was in its early stages.

“This is an abhorrent crime of one of our police officers in blue, and I would be terrified if it happened again.”

He said it was lucky that his injuries weren’t more serious as he recovers in hospital.

#CairnsCity – One patient was transported to Cairns Hospital in a serious condition with chest wounds after an incident on McLeod Street at 2.21pm.

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) February 16, 2021

Image: Nine News