Hainault tube station stabbing latest: Five people taken to hospital as man with sword arrested in east London

Five people have been taken to hospital after the attack in Hainault.

“We were called at 6.54am this morning to reports of an incident near Hainault underground station,” a London Ambulance Servicespokesperson said.

“We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, clinicians in response cars, advanced paramedics and London’s air ambulance.

“At this time we understand members of the public and two police officers had been attacked.

“Working together with our emergency services partners, we treated five people on the scene and took all five to hospital. All crews have now left the scene.”

A witness to the Hainault attacks said there appeared to be a stand-off between police and the suspect in an alleyway before he heard a woman scream.

The man, who asked not to be named, said: “I also heard the words ‘he’s got a massive knife’, or ‘he’s got a massive sword’. Then he disappeared down this alley and then he was out of sight.

“They [the police] went into the alley and there seemed to be some sort of a stand-off there where I heard this huge commotion, then I heard a scream.

“From that commotion at least one person was knifed – I think it might have been a woman because I heard a woman scream and then some sort of sobbing sounds.

“I then heard a voice say something like ‘she’s been stabbed in the face’ or ‘we need assistance’ – you know, calling for medical back-up.”

Here is a quick round-up of what we know so far about the incident in northeast London this morning:

• Police were called shortly before 7am to reports of a vehicle being driven into a home on Thurlow Gardens, near Hainault Tube station. There were reports that people had been stabbed.
• The suspect is thought to have gone on to attack other members of the public and two police officers.
• Police are awaiting an update on the conition of those injured.
• A 36-year-old man was arrested with a sword at the scene and is in custody.
• Hainault Tube station and the surrounding roads were closed as police investigate.
• The attack does not appear to be terror-related and there is not believed to be an ongoing threat to the wider community, police have said.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was “absolutely devastated” by the attack in Hainault and thanked the emergency services for “running towards danger”.

He said: “I remain in constant contact with the Commissioner. A man has been arrested and the area secured. The police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. 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.

“I would urge people not to speculate until the details of this incident are confirmed by the police and avoid posting footage on social media.”

Home secretary James Cleverly has said he is receiving regular updates about the incident in Hainault.

“I am being regularly updated about the incident at Hainault Station this morning,” said Mr Cleverly.

“My thoughts are with those who have been affected & 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 witness told The Independent: “I was woken up by loud shouting outside and then I saw someone stab another kid.

“Then police arrived like crazy. The young man made his way towards the station and I’m not sure what happened there.

“I couldn’t really hear what was being said to be honest. He had a big sword though and was right outside my door.

“I’m just lucky my mum’s okay. She was about to leave for work.”

On one of the alleged victims, he added: “It was young man. He lives around the corner and was probably off to school.”

You can also refresh our breaking report below for updates:

Police do not believe the incident is terror-related and there is not thought to be any further threat to the wider community.

In their statement, Scotland Yard said: “We do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the wider community.

“We are not looking for more suspects. This incident does not appear to be terror-related.”

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.”

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.