Four people die in fatal stabbing in South London as man arrested
Police were called to the property in Southwark at 1:40 a.m.
Last updated 25th Apr 2022
A man in his late 20's has been arrested after four people were found stabbed to death at a property in South London.
The victims, three women and a man aged between 30 and 70 were pronounced dead when emergency services, responding to reports of a disturbance, arrived at the scene at 1:40 a.m on Monday morning (April 25th).
Police used forced entry to get into the property, where they discovered the victims with fatal stab wounds.
The incident occurred on Delafort Road in Bermondsey, in the South London borough of Southwark.
The Metropolitan Police have said that the man had been arrested on suspicion of the murder of the four people. It is understood that all five people knew each other.
Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove said: "In the early hours of this morning, following a call from neighbours, officers forced entry to a house in Delaford Road, SE16.
"Inside the house they made a dreadful discovery of four people who had been stabbed.
"Despite the efforts of officers and paramedics, all four people were sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
"I can confirm that the deceased were three women, believed to be aged in their mid-60s, 40s and 30s, and one man, believed to be aged in his mid-60s.
"I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of all those concerned.
"A man in his late 20s was arrested at the address on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody and, at this early stage, we are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.
"We believe that all those involved may have been known to each other.
"This is a terrible incident and I fully understand how worried the community will be. We are working closely with our partners and local community groups to keep everyone informed and answer their questions.
"Extra officers will be in the area to offer reassurance - please speak to them, they are there to listen to you and act on your concerns.
"Homicide detectives have launched a wide-ranging and relentless investigation into these terrible events, please assist them by avoiding unhelpful speculation and allow them time to uncover the evidence.
"Such terrible events are rare, but I know that will not diminish the shock that will be felt across London and the wider country. I assure you, this investigation will leave no stone unturned in discovering the facts."
The next of kin of those who died are now being informed of the current investigations by the Metropolitan Police.
Anne Birkett, 60, whose back bedroom looks on to the property where the victims were found, said she was woken by police sirens and a circling helicopter just before 2am.
"It's devastating - you hear all of this but you never assume it's going to be right on your own doorstep.
"I'm a foster carer and I've got children in my care, and now I've got to protect them now because of what's happened."
A resident of the adjacent road, Bramcote Grove, who did not want to be named, said he was woken at around 2am by police sirens and a helicopter and was kept up until 6am by the commotion.
"When I saw four ambulances - not one, not two, but four - I knew it was serious," he said.