In a shocking incident reported from Thurlow Gardens area near Hainault station in east London, a 36-year-old man wielding a sword went on a stabbing spree, attacking multiple people, including two police officers in the area. According to the Metropolitan Police, the accused was arrested and is now in custody. The police said that a 13-year-old boy was killed, according to The Guardian. The boy’s family is being supported by specialist officers, the Met said. Five people who sustained injuries during the attack have been taken to the hospital.
He crashed a vehicle into a house on Thurlow Gardens before reportedly stabbing multiple people.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the incident is not being treated as terror-related.
"We do not believe there is any ongoing threat to wider community. We are not looking for more suspects," the statement noted.
The police, in its statement said that they received a report before 7 AM (0600 GMT) that a vehicle drove into a house and there were "reports people have been stabbed."
"At this time we understand the suspect attacked other members of the public and two police officers," the statement read.
Ade Adelekan, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, stated that it must have been a terrifying incident for those concerned.
Following the incident, the Hainault underground station has been closed due to an ongoing police investigation in the area, the Guardian reported citing Transport for London.
London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, commented on the incident saying that he was “absolutely devastated” after hearing about the stabbing incident and remained in close contact with the Met police commissioner.
UK PM Rishi Sunak 'Shocked' By Hainault Stabbing Incident
Shocked by the incident, UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote on X, "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."