A woman is dead and five people injured in a possible terrorist knife attack in central London, police said.
UPDATE: The woman who died was in her 60s but no more details will be given at the moment. The injured include 1 woman and four men, but their condition has not been specified. A 19-year-old man has been arrested and is in hospital in police custody. Mental health is a possible factor in the incident but police are maintaining the terror line of the inquiry. The homicide command is investigating, supported by counter terror police.
Quote:
Met police full statement
Police were called just after 10.30pm last night [Wednesday] to reports of a man armed with a knife assaulting people at at Russell Square, Camden.
Armed officers arrived at the scene within five minutes. They discharged the Taser while confronting and arresting the suspect.
Six people have been injured, including the one woman who sadly died at the scene and the others have received various injuries. The deceased woman is in her 60s but it would be inappropriate at this time for me to give any more personal details about her.
A 19-year-old man was arrested shortly after 10.39pm and is currently in police custody at hospital.
Early indications suggest mental health is a significant factor in this case and that is one major line of inquiry.
But of course at this stage we should keep an open mind regarding motive and consequently terrorism as a motivation remains but one line of inquiry for us to explore.
At present the Met’s homicide command are investigating the incident but at present are supported by our counterterrorism unit.
As a precautionary measure tomorrow, Londoners will wake up and in the morning they will notice an increased police presence on the streets, including armed officers. This is there to provide reassurance and safety. We ask the public to remain calm and vigilant and alert.
Horrible news. Thoughts to the victims and their friends and family
The woman who died was in her 60s but no more details will be given at the moment. The injured include 1 woman and four men, but their condition has not been specified. A 19-year-old man has been arrested and is in hospital in police custody. Mental health is a possible factor in the incident but police are maintaining the terror line of the inquiry. The homicide command is investigating, supported by counter terror police.
Police were called just after 10.30pm last night [Wednesday] to reports of a man armed with a knife assaulting people at at Russell Square, Camden.
Armed officers arrived at the scene within five minutes. They discharged the Taser while confronting and arresting the suspect.
Six people have been injured, including the one woman who sadly died at the scene and the others have received various injuries. The deceased woman is in her 60s but it would be inappropriate at this time for me to give any more personal details about her.
A 19-year-old man was arrested shortly after 10.39pm and is currently in police custody at hospital.
Early indications suggest mental health is a significant factor in this case and that is one major line of inquiry.
But of course at this stage we should keep an open mind regarding motive and consequently terrorism as a motivation remains but one line of inquiry for us to explore.
At present the Met’s homicide command are investigating the incident but at present are supported by our counterterrorism unit.
As a precautionary measure tomorrow, Londoners will wake up and in the morning they will notice an increased police presence on the streets, including armed officers. This is there to provide reassurance and safety. We ask the public to remain calm and vigilant and alert.
