Hainault updates — Sword-wielding man arrested as boy, 13, killed in horror attack
Susan Hall responds to ‘deeply concerning’ attack
Conservative Mayoral candidate Susan Hall has shared her support for the victims of today’s attack.
Susan Hall said: “This is deeply concerning and my thoughts are with those who have been injured.
“I am grateful to the emergency services for responding to this incident so quickly and for all the work they do to keep people safe.
“I would urge people not to speculate about the incident on social media and I would encourage any witnesses to contact the police.”
PM speaks out after shocking attack
Rishi Sunak has shared his support for those affected by today’s shocking attack in Hainault.
Taking to X, he wrote: “This is a shocking incident. My thoughts are with those affected and their families.
“I’d like to thank the emergency services for their ongoing response, and pay tribute to the extraordinary bravery shown by police on the scene.
“Such violence has no place on our streets.”
‘I heard shrieking’
A witness recounts hearing “shouting” and “shrieking” in Hainault amid this morning’s shocking attack.
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, told PA: “I heard shouting, I heard shrieking – I thought ‘who would be shrieking at this time in the morning?’
“The shrieking sounded like the police – you know when they are ordering someone to stop or to get on their knees or something – it was like that.
“It was like ‘stop where you are, put that down, put that down’ – that kind of thing.
“I looked out the back window because the noise was coming from back there, I saw a bloke dressed in yellow jumping over some fences … then he went down an alley like he was going back onto the street again.
“I saw a policeman and policewoman – normal coppers with the short-sleeved shirts – who chased after him and they were shouting for him to put it down.”
Five people taken to hosptial
A spokesperson for London Ambulance Service said today: “We were called at 6.54am this morning to an incident near Hainault Underground Station.
“We sent multiple resources to the scene.
“Working together with our emergency services partners, we treated five people and took all five to hospital.
“Our crews have now left the scene.”
Sadiq Khan ‘absolutely devastated’
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was “absolutely devastated” following today’s shocking attack.
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.
“If you have any information at all, please contact the police urgently on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111. There is no honour in staying silent.
“Those affected in the local area, including witnesses, can also call Victim Support on 0808 1689 111.”
Keir Starmer responds to ‘awful incident’
Labour leader Keir Starmer has taken to X following today’s shocking attack.
He wrote: “Awful news coming from Hainault.
“Our thoughts are with the victims. Thankful for the first responders on the scene.”