A police officer narrowly escaped serious injury after he was stabbed in the neck with a bottle in an unprovoked attack at a funfair.

PC Paul Dalton, a member of Carshalton’s safer neighbourhood team, was assaulted without warning from behind at 8.30pm on Sunday.

Despite his injuries PC Dalton, 44, chased the suspect and arrested him after the attack at W Davis funfair in Wrythe Lane, Carshalton.

PC Dalton, a father of two grown-up children, was back on the beat on Tuesday after taking just one day off work to come to terms with the assault.

He said: “It was a surprise at the time. It all happened very quickly.

“I was talking to a member of the public and there was hardly anybody around at the time.

“The injury was extremely minor considering what could have happened.

"It is still a concern and I do wonder why something like this would happen.

“My family were worried, but we’ve a good faith in God.”

PC Dalton, who has been a police officer for 25 years, said the incident would not deter him from his job.

He said: “It was a good family occasion and it’s shame something like this happened, as the fairground should not get tarred with the same brush.”

Detective Sergeant Nick Burrows, who is leading the inquiry, said PC Dalton, tasked with dealing with local disorder and nuisance when he was stabbed, only suffered a minor wound to his neck as he was protected from more serious injury by his stab-proof vest.

With the help of a member of the public, who gave him a lift in his car, he chased the suspect into Wrythe Lane where he arrested him.

No alcohol was sold at the W Davis fair, which has been operating for more than 100 years and arrives annually in Sutton.

Co-owner Billy Davis, 48, said he was pleased the officer had recovered.

He said: “I saw the officer pick the bottle up and then he ran and caught the lad up further up the street.

“This is something we don’t want at our fairs, and the public don’t want it either.”

Sutton’s deputy borough commander, Superintendent Chas Bailey, said PC Dalton was “very quick” in his response and praised the fairground staff for helping.

He said: “He is a trained police officer and responded well. He did a great job. The fairground staff were particularly helpful.”

Witnesses or anyone with information should call Sutton Police Station on 020 8649 0743.

• Tony Bull, 23, of Sutton Park Road, appeared at Sutton Magistrates' Court on Tuesday morning charged with attempted grievous bodily harm.

He was remanded in custody and will next appear at Croydon Crown Court on August 4.