A critical incident has been declared in north east London after several people were stabbed and a vehicle being driven into someone’s home.
A 36-year-old man has been arrested and emergency services are at the scene in Hainault, where the Tube station and nearby roads are closed, the Metropolitan Police said.
Officers were called shortly before 7am to reports of a vehicle being driven into a house in the Thurlow Gardens area, with reports that people had been stabbed. Scotland Yard believes the suspect went on to attack other members of the public and two police officers.
Unverified footage shared on social media appeared to show a man wielding a long knife outside someone’s home as emergency services responded.
Police are not looking for further suspects, and said the incident did not appear to be terror-related – nor was there believed to be an ongoing threat to the wider community.
“This must have been a terrifying incident for those concerned. I know the wider community will be feeling shock and alarm,” said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan.
At least six fire crews scrambled to assist police and paramedics
The London Fire Brigade said it was called to assist the incident in Hainault.
“Firefighters were mobilised to assist police and London Ambulance Service colleagues at an incident near Hainault Underground Station,” it said in a statement.
“Crews supported London Ambulance Service crews in the provision of immediate emergency care.
“The Brigade was called at 7.35am and the incident was over for firefighters by 9.24am.
“Fire crews from Dagenham, Walthamstow, Ilford, Romford, Hainault, East Ham and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.”
Andy Gregory30 April 2024 09:55
Van ‘ploughed into house’, witness says
One neighbour said he was woken up when a van “ploughed into the house” opposite him.
He told The Independent that he had heard his neighbour “moaning and crying that someone had been hurt or even worse”.
“I jumped out of bed and have seen the van reverse out of the house. It drove up the road, where I believe he attacked someone else. It’s really bad,” he said.
Barney Davis30 April 2024 09:51
Incident ‘must have been terrifying’, says police chief
Metropolitan Police 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 will we provide more information as soon as we can.”
Andy Gregory30 April 2024 09:46
Police officers among those believed to have been attacked
A suspect wielding a sword is believed to have attacked several members of the public and two police officers, the Metropolitan Police has said.
Police are awaiting an update on the condition of those injured.
A 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene and he is in custody.
Andy Gregory30 April 2024 09:45
Police called to reports of vehicle being driven into a house
The Metropolitan Police said officers were called shortly before 7am to reports of a vehicle being driven into a house in the Thurlow Gardens area.
There were reports that people had been stabbed, the force said.
Andy Gregory30 April 2024 09:42
Man with sword allegedly ‘waited outside houses’ and attacked ‘random residents’
Footage posted on social media following the incident shows a man carrying what appears to be a samurai sword.
According to the unverified posts, the attacker “waited outside houses and attacked random residents”.
The footage shows the man – wearing a yellow jumper and black trousers – waiting in people’s front gardens with the weapon as emergency services cars were nearby.
Amy-Clare Martin, Crime Correspondent30 April 2024 09:40
A man has been arrested in Hainault, northeast London, following reports of a stabbing and car being driven into a building.
We’ll be using this blog to bring you the latest updates.
Andy Gregory30 April 2024 09:39