A person has been shot after stabbing a police officer close to the Grand Place in Brussels’ historic centre.

Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon said the early morning incident on Tuesday was a “cowardly act against our policemen”.

The victim was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries while the attacker was seriously injured.

The motivation behind the incident was unclear.

Justice Minister Koen Geens said investigators were looking at all possible motivations including links to extremist groups but there were no clear indications as yet.

Belgium has been under heightened security since the March 2016 attacks at Brussels’ airport and subway that left 32 people dead.