2 weeks ago
Last Updated: April 30, 2024, 21:58 IST
London, United Kingdom (UK)
Video footage and photographs posted on social media appeared to show a man in a yellow jumper on the streets near houses with the weapon. (Screengrab)
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the stabbings "shocking". "Such violence has no place on our streets," he added in a post on X
A brave UK female police officer confronted the sword-wielding suspect with her Taser in east London on Tuesday after he had already attacked multiple victims, including a 13-year-old boy who lost his life.
The man used what appeared to be a Samurai-type sword in the Hainault district shortly before 7:00 am (local time). Police said they arrested a 36-year-old man using Taser stun weapons and took him into custody. The incident is not believed to be terror-related, they said.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, from London’s Metropolitan Police, said all five victims were taken to hospital. The two police officers were awaiting surgery for “significant” injuries, he added. But they, and those sustained by the two members of the public, were not believed to be life-threatening.
“It’s with great sadness that one of those injured in this incident… has died from their injuries,” he told reporters at the scene. “He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly died a short while after.”
We are aware of graphic images and video on social media following the attack in Hainault.We ask users to consider the impact of sharing these, particularly those of the fatally injured victim.
Anyone with footage which may assist our criminal inquiry should share it with us… https://t.co/TPA2OO0VNp
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) April 30, 2024
‘Horrific’
King Charles III called the stabbings “horrific” and paid tribute to the “courage” of the emergency services, Buckingham Palace said. “His thoughts and prayers are with all those affected — in particular, the family of the young victim who has lost his life,” a spokesman said.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the stabbings “shocking”. “Such violence has no place on our streets,” he added in a post on X. “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.”
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
Video Footage
Video footage and photographs posted on social media appeared to show a man in a yellow jumper on the streets near houses with the weapon. Emergency service vehicles, including police, fire and ambulances, were seen behind cordons, including near the town’s underground railway station. British newspaper The Daily Mail released several videos of the Hainault attacker on its social media handles.
‘Absolutely devastated’
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “absolutely devastated” by the incident and was in close contact with the city police commissioner. “The police offices 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,” he said.
Last week, Sunak criticised the mayor’s record on knife crime in the British capital. According to official statistics, knife crime increased in London by 20 percent in 2023, with 14,577 offences — one percent lower than pre-pandemic levels in the year to March 2020. In England and Wales as a whole, there was a seven-percent increase in knife crime to 49,489 offences, with most (29 percent) in metropolitan areas, the Official for Statistics said.
(With agency inputs)
