Man with sword arrested after stabbing near tube station
It's understood both police officers and members of the public have been injured
Last updated 30th Apr 2024
A 36-year-old man carrying a sword has been arrested following reported stabbings and attacks near a tube station in east London.
The Metropolitan Police said officers were first called to reports of a vehicle being driven into a house in Hainault at around 7am on Tuesday.
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 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene and is in custody, the force added.
Witnesses described seeing a helicopter circling the area, with police and ambulances heading towards the scene.
The Met said it is not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and it is not believed to be terror-related.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “This must have been a terrifying incident for those concerned.
“I know the wider community will be feeling shock and alarm.
“People will want to know what has happened and we will provide more information as soon as we can.”
The force said it was awaiting an update on the condition of those injured in the attacks.
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, told the PA news agency: "I heard shouting, I heard shrieking - I thought 'who would be shrieking at this time in the morning?'
"The shrieking sounded like the police - you know when they are ordering someone to stop or to get on their knees or something - it was like that.
"It was like 'stop where you are, put that down, put that down' - that kind of thing.
"I looked out the back window because the noise was coming from back there, I saw a bloke dressed in yellow jumping over some fences ... then he went down an alley like he was going back onto the street again.
"I saw a policeman and policewoman - normal coppers with the short-sleeved shirts - who chased after him and they were shouting for him to put it down."
Transport for London’s website confirmed Hainault Tube station is closed “due to a police investigation in the area”.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was "absolutely devastated" by the attack in Hainault and thanked the emergency services for "running towards danger".
He said: "I remain in constant contact with the 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.
"I would urge people not to speculate until the details of this incident are confirmed by the police and avoid posting footage on social media.