London Man Arrested After Multiple Attacks with Samurai-Type Sword

A man with a sword went on a rampage in Hainault, east of London, attacking several people including two police officers before being arrested, the Metropolitan Police reported on Tuesday.

The incident unfolded just before 7:00 am (0600 GMT) when the police were called after a vehicle crashed into a house and reports of multiple stabbings emerged. The suspect then proceeded to attack other members of the public and two police officers.

The London Ambulance Service treated five injured individuals and transported them to the hospital. The condition of the victims remains unknown at this time.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest of a 36-year-old man at the scene and stated that the incident does not appear to be terror-related.

Video footage and images circulating on social media depicted a man brandishing a Samurai-type sword in the vicinity of residential properties. Emergency service vehicles were deployed to the area, including police, fire, and ambulances.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his devastation over the incident and commended the bravery of the police officers and emergency responders who swiftly responded to the situation.

This incident comes amidst heightened concerns over knife crime in London, with statistics showing a 20 percent increase in such offenses in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels. The overall knife crime in England and Wales also saw a seven-percent rise, with metropolitan areas accounting for the majority of incidents.