Woman arrested after four men stabbed in London's Covent Garden
Four men were hospitalized after being attacked on Endell Street in London's West End. The Metropolitan Police believe the incident was mental health-related.
Woman arrested after four men stabbed in London's Covent Garden
A 47-year-old woman is in police custody after four men were stabbed in the West End of London on Wednesday, 5 August. The victims, aged 34, 39, 42 and 52, were attacked on Endell Street, a busy thoroughfare in Covent Garden.
The London Ambulance Service received reports of the stabbings at 12.29pm. Paramedics treated the four men at the scene before transporting them by road to a major trauma centre. While all four were initially hospitalized, the Metropolitan Police later confirmed that two victims have been discharged. The remaining two men have injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of an offensive weapon. Officers seized a pair of scissors at the scene. Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart, who leads policing in the area, stated that officers responded within minutes of receiving several reports.
Witnesses described a scene of sudden chaos. An anonymous witness told Sky News that the woman stabbed three people with scissors outside the Shaftesbury Theatre before moving toward Endell Street. Another witness reported hearing a man shout she’s stabbing people with scissors
and seeing people running from the area.
Arjan Gjorga, a 48-year-old manager of a fish and chip shop on Endell Street, said the woman started stabbing random people
who were simply walking by. He noted that police responded immediately, and the woman was arrested minutes later.
Matt Bishop, who works at a nearby consultancy firm, described seeing a woman with short hair who appeared pretty incoherent
in her shouting. According to Bishop, the woman was involved in a stand-off
with three police officers while waving a weapon.
Other accounts of the midday incident varied. Tim Keates, 61, who was decorating outside a shop on Endell Street, told the Press Association that there was no actual commotion until emergency services arrived, though he heard a shout and the sounds of frustrated drivers and cyclists as traffic stopped. A diner at a nearby Byron restaurant estimated the attacks occurred between 12.15pm and 12.30pm, noting that people panicked and fled.
The emergency response included the London Air Ambulance, which landed in Trafalgar Square. However, the London Ambulance Service confirmed the helicopter departed without patients as all casualties were taken to the hospital by road.
The Metropolitan Police have characterized the attack as an isolated incident. Chief Superintendent Stewart added:
"While still at an early stage of the investigation, we would like to reassure the community that we currently believe this to be an isolated, mental health-related incident."
Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart, Metropolitan Police
Following the attack, a police cordon was established from High Holborn across part of Endell Street. Officers were seen carrying out enquiries with open laptops near Shaftesbury Avenue and speaking with individuals at the St Mungo's homeless centre. While the cordon was eventually lifted, the police stated a visible presence will remain in the Covent Garden area while evidence is gathered.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are not seeking any other individuals in connection with the event. Detectives are continuing to establish the full circumstances of the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote reference CAD3449/05AUG.
