A woman has died and five other people have been injured after a knife attack in central London’s Russell Square.
Police tasered a 19-year-old man after receiving a call at around 10:30pm last night with reports of a knife being used.
A woman in her 60s was treated at the scene but attempts to save her life were unsuccessful. Scotland Yard later confirmed that five other people – a woman and four men – have received various injuries in the attack.
#Police guarding cordon around #russellsquare #bedfordplace #southamptonrow Saw armed police & paramedics earlier pic.twitter.com/M4XLR2o14j
— Helen Edwards (@hyperlinkhelen) August 3, 2016
Examinations on the knifeman’s motive are ongoing, but police said in the early hours of Thursday that mental health was a “significant factor”. The Met’s homicide command was leading the investigation with support from the counter-terrorism unit, and a terrorist link has not been ruled out at this stage.
The attacker, who identity has not been released, is currently under armed guard in hospital.
Police cordon around #russellsquare now extended & forensic tent erected on Southampton row pic.twitter.com/0cU8Uor2E3
— Helen Edwards (@hyperlinkhelen) August 4, 2016
Witnesses have been recounting what happened in the square, with one, who wished to remain anonymous, telling the BBC that the “guy kept screaming his guts out” and “police were screaming stop, stop, stop”.
Paul Hutchinson, who also witnessed the aftermath of the knife attack, told Sky News: “Russell Square was all taped off by armed police and there was a body on the floor.
“There were loads and loads of armed police, lots of police cars with lights on, a couple of ambulances and the body on the floor.”
Witness Philippa Baglee remembers a man in a motorcycle helmet "parading up and down" at London stabbing scene https://t.co/JTtCc6Y76J
— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 4, 2016
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said his “heart goes out to the victims of the incident in Russell Square and their loved ones”, and that the safety of Londoners was his “number one priority”.
The mayor added: “I have spoken with the commissioner, and the assistant commissioner, who have assured me that our police officers are working extremely hard to investigate exactly what has happened and to keep the rest of us safe.
“A man was arrested at the scene. Police have spoken to him and are seeking to establish the full facts including motives for this attack. I urge all Londoners to remain calm and vigilant.”
Mark Rowley, the Met’s assistant commissioner for specialist operations and Britain’s most senior counter-terrorism police officer, said that Londoners would wake to an increased police presence on the streets, including armed officers, to “provide reassurance and safety”.
