A 48-year-old man was tonight charged with the murder of a British detective who was stabbed to death while making an arrest, police said.

Stabbed British policeman Michael Swindells sacrificed his life to save passers-by from a maniac knifeman, his Chief Constable said today.

Plain clothes police in the UK may be routinely issued with body armour following the stabbing to death of a detective, officers said today.