Five people were rushed to hospital in a ‘terrifying sword attack’ in east London this morning.
Two police officers and three members of the public were injured after reports a car had driven into a home in Hainault, east London, shortly before 7am on Tuesday.
Horrifying footage posted on social media appears to show a sword-wielding suspect wearing a yellow hoodie as he prowled the streets and crouched beside homes.
Metropolitan Police later confirmed a 36-year-old man had been arrested. They are not looking for more suspects in relation to the ordeal and the attack ‘does not appear to be terror-related’, police said.
Locals told MailOnline how they woke to sounds of ‘piercing screams’ and a man ‘covered in blood’ outside their homes in the Thurlow Gardens area.
A man ‘wielding a machete’ was seen ‘prowling the streets of east London’
Footage posted on social media appears to show a sword-wielding knifeman wearing a yellow hoodie being approached by officers
The major emergency service response in Hainault this morning – crews rushed to the scene of a multiple stabbing
Emergency services outside Hainault tube station this morning
Daniel Garfinkle, who lives outside the station, said: ‘I woke up at 7am to lots of shouting. There was a guy outside covered in blood, near the station and outside my home.
‘Police were trying to calm down the man who carried out the stabbing. But he went towards the station. He kept shouting.’
Another local said: ‘There was at least one man lying in a pool of blood. It was horrific. There were these terrible screams I woke to piercing screams, people said it was with a machete.’
Home Secretary James Cleverly said his thoughts are with those ‘affected’ by the horror incident in east London this morning.
He posted on X: ‘I am being regularly updated about the incident at Hainault Station this morning.
‘My thoughts are with those who have been affected and thank you to the emergency responders I would urge people not to speculate or share footage online and provide relevant information to the police.’
A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said they traeted five people for injuries at the scene – before rushing them to hospital.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was ‘devastated’ by the news of the attack and thanked the emergency services for ‘running towards danger’.
He said: ‘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.
Police raced to the ‘serious incident’ involving a man with a sword shortly before 7am after reports of a vehicle being driven into a home and multiple stabbings.
Hainault tube station has been locked down while the condition of those injured in the attack remains unknown.
Transport for London has urged people to avoid the area and to replan their journey accordingly.
‘At this time we understand the suspect went on to attack other members of the public and two police officers,’ the Met Police said in a statement.
‘We 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.’
Daniel Garfinkle, who lives outside the station, said he woke up at 7am to ‘lots of shouting’
Police cars spotted on a road near to Hainault tube station today
Several police cars and fire engines have been spotted outside the station in east London
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan added: ‘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.’
People were seen gathering on the road outside Hainault Tube station and a helicopter circling overhead.
Redbridge Borough Police also confirmed on X that they were responding to an incident in the Hainault area.
They advised people to follow police instructions and that a man had been arrested.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: ‘Firefighters were mobilised to assist police and London Ambulance Service colleagues at an incident near Hainault Underground Station.
Police officers gather outside the tube station in east London as they respond to a ‘serious incident’
People were seen gathering on the road outside Hainault tube station and a helicopter circling overhead
Redbridge Borough Police confirmed on X that they were responding to an incident in the Hainault area
‘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.’
Wes Streeting MP posted on X: ‘A critical incident has been declared in Hainault. There are station and road closures in place.
‘The police, ambulance service and fire brigade are responding. One male detained.
‘I would urge people not to speculate until details are confirmed or post footage on social media.’
He added: ‘I am in contact with the Met Police, Mayor of London and Redbridge Council.
‘I will keep local residents updated as and when I can.’
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