John Cryer - Leyton & Wanstead

I hold 5 advice surgeries a month, two on Thursday mornings, two on Friday afternoon/evenings and one Saturday morning surgery.

If you would like to see me about a subject or issue affecting you, please get in touch so that my team can book you an appointment.

I was shocked and devastated to learn of a "frenzied" machete attack on a police officer on High Road, Leyton yesterday.

The police do a fantastic job fighting crime and trying to make our neighbourhoods safer in an increasingly difficult climate of rising violent crime and budget cuts. It is therefore awful to see such an egregious attack on an officer just doing his job.

I am bowled over by the courage and reactions of the PC, who managed to use his taser in self defence to halt the attack. It sounds very much as if he saved his own life by doing so. The perpetrator now faces charges of GBH.

I spoke to the Borough Commander, DCS Richard Tucker, this morning, and I understand that the officer is doing alright. I hope he makes a speedy, full recovery and my thoughts are with him and his family, who must have been absolutely horrified when they heard what had happened.

This incident serves as a reminder that members of the emergency services put their lives on the line for us every single day of their working lives.

That is something we should never forget and for which we should be forever grateful.