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A 14-year-old boy has been killed and four people injured in a stabbing in London involving a man with a sword.
A 36-year-old man was arrested after the five people, including two police officers, were attacked this morning.
“It’s with great sadness that one of those injured in this incident, a 14-year-old boy, has died from their injuries,” Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, from the Metropolitan Police, told reporters.
Oofficers were called to reports of a vehicle being driven into a house in the Hainault area of London at around 7am.
The force said there were reports of people being stabbed during the incident in the Thurlow Gardens area.
Police said the suspect is understood to have gone on to attack other members of the public and two police officers.
The man was arrested at the scene and is in custody, the force added.
Speaking this afternoon, Chief Supt Bell said the suspect had been tasered at the scene and arrested 22 minutes after the first call to the police was made.
“I want to confirm at present that we do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the wider public and we’re not seeking any other persons.
“The incident does not appear to be linked to any act of terrorism.
“We know now that during the incident five people were injured – three members of the public and two of my local officers who were responding to the call.”
Mr Bell said two of the injured remain in hospital but their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
The two police officers are also in hospital with stab wounds described as significant.
Mr Bell said they require surgery, but their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
“I commend the incredible bravery of not just the police officers but the other emergency responders who came to this scene this morning,” he added.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it was a “shocking incident” and his thoughts were with those affected and their families.
“Such violence has no place on our streets,” he said on X.
He also paid tribute to the “extraordinary bravery shown by police on the scene”.
This is a shocking incident. My thoughts are with those affected and their families.
I’d like to thank the emergency services for their ongoing response, and pay tribute to the extraordinary bravery shown by police on the scene.
Such violence has no place on our streets. https://t.co/ekaNY9PY7g
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) April 30, 2024
A witness to the incident said he heard shrieking at about 7am before witnessing a man dressed in yellow jumping over some fences.
The man, who asked not to be named, said: “I heard shouting, I heard shrieking – I thought ‘who would be shrieking at this time in the morning?'”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was “absolutely devastated” by the attack and thanked the emergency services for “running towards danger”.
He said: “I remain in constant contact with the [police] commissioner.
“A man has been arrested and the area secured. The police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. There will be additional reassurance patrols in the area.
“The police officers and emergency services showed the best of our city – running towards danger to protect others and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
Additional reporting PA
