Hainault stabbing: Boy, 14, dies after horror sword rampage in London

Local resident Conor Summerfield told the Express what happened was "unnerving" and had put him "on edge".

He added: "I’m constantly on edge anyway - the way this is all becoming now. Not just here, everywhere, the whole of London. Crime, everything. No one is doing anything about it.

"I know they're the police but the law is not being enforced properly anymore. You can get away with things now."

Dramatic pictures show the moment the alleged attacker is Tasered by police.

Images taken from a doorbell camera show the moment the alleged sword attacker was Tasered by officers and then arrested earlier today.

A man can be seen in the pictures holding a large knife, or sword. In another picture, he's seen on the floor being detained.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner, Louisa Rolfe, who leads on Frontline Policing, has said there is no trace of a prior incident involving the alleged attacker.

Speaking at a press conference, she added the force will continue to make enquiries.

Asst Commissioner Rolfe said detectives have yet to interview the suspect due to injuries he sustained.

She told reporters the alleged attacker was injured when his van collided with the building.

Giving a statement in Hainault, Asst Commissioner Rolfe said: "The 36-year-old man arrested at the scene is currently in hospital having suffered injuries when his van collided with a building.

"He has been arrested on suspicion of murder. At this time, given his injuries, we have been unable to interview him.

"Our thoughts of course remain with the family and friends of the 14-year-old boy who very sadly died here this morning.

"We're also thinking of the two members of the public who were injured, as well as brave officers who were stabbed."

A neighbour from nearby Laing Close, who witnessed the attacks, has said he could "not stop envisioning the boy's face".

James Fernando, 39, said the suspect had asked one of his neighbours to "take the telephone from him to tell whoever was on the phone his location".

He said: "Within two seconds after that she's realised something isn't right, started running and he's pulled a samurai sword from the back of his trousers.

"She's shouted to the other neighbour - a Nigerian boy who was on his way to school. As he's turned around, he's struck him on the face... he was dead on the spot.

"It's quite traumatising now. I can't stop envisioning the boy's face."

Speaking about what he saw of the suspect, Mr Fernando said: "He was running around, still after the police officers came, with the sword in his hand looking for victims."

A woman said: "We were very scared and trying to hide and not show ourselves through the window because he was standing right next to our house and he could have seen us if he looked up.

"We were trying to hide but also at the same time taking video... So, yeah, we were very scared and we didn't know what to do."

A resident in Thurlow Gardens, who asked to remain anonymous, said the alleged attacker was tasered in his garden.

They said the man jumped over the fence before being held down by police, and the householder had submitted CCTV to the authorities.

A neighbour, who also wanted to remain anonymous, witnessed the arrest, saying: "I heard police sirens and then the car stopped here for three seconds, which was a bit odd. I opened the door and I could see armed police officers.

"I saw a gentleman... He went into that driveway and he was being tasered, being told to stop, then he jumped into that other neighbour’s driveway there.

"He was being tasered, went to the floor with all the armed police officers around and he was subdued there for half an hour... He was quite resisting."

The King's "thoughts and prayers are with all those affected" by the "horrific" Hainault stabbings, "in particular, the family of the young victim who has lost his life", a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.

The Palace said: "Following the horrific scenes in Hainault this morning, the King has asked to be kept fully informed as details of the incident become clearer.

"His thoughts and prayers are with all those affected - in particular, the family of the young victim who has lost his life - and he salutes the courage of the emergency services who helped contain the situation."

The Met Police have said the victim is a 14-year-old boy, having previously said he was aged 13.

Detective Stuart Bell said: "It is with great sadness that I confirm one of those injured, a 14-year-old boy, has died. He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly died shortly afterwards."

Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting has released a statement following the announcement that a 13-year-old boy has died following this morning's serious incident.

In a statement published on X/Twitter, he said: "Our whole community will be devastated by the heartbreaking news that a 13-year-old boy was killed in the horrific sword attack in Hainault this morning that saw four others injured, including two Metropolitan Police officers.

"I can't imagine what that poor boy's family are going through and they have my deepest, heartfelt condolences. My prayers are also with the other victims of this horrific attack and their loved ones."

Mr Streeting added: "Our community deserves answers about what happened. It is vital that we give the Police space to do their work.

"Anyone with information or footage should provide this directly to the Police via 101 and I would urge people to refrain from speculating while we wait for the facts to emerge."

- A 13-year-old boy has been killed in a sword attack in Hainault, east London.

- The suspect, a 36-year-old man has been tasered and arrested.

- Two members of the public remain in hospital but their injuries are not life-threatening.

- Two Met Police officers who were also injured require surgery, and have "significant injuries" but it is believed at this stage that they are not life-threatening.

The Metropolitan Police have released a statement following the serious incident in Hainault. They announced that a 13-year-old boy had died and that a 36-year-old man had been taken into custody.

Earlier, the Metropolitan Police released a statement following the attack in Hainault, east London. Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, who leads local policing for the Metropolitan Police's East Area Command said in a statement: "You will be aware that a very serious incident occurred here this morning with police and the London Ambulance Service deployed to a number of casualties.

"It is with great sadness that I confirm one of those injured, a 13-year-old boy, has died. He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly died shortly afterwards.

"The child’s family are being supported by specially trained officers. Everyone across the Met is keeping them in our thoughts at this unimaginably difficult time.

"The events of this morning are truly horrific and I cannot begin to imagine how all those affected must be feeling.

"My thoughts are with the injured, their families and the wider community as we all begin to come to terms with what has happened.

"I know that there is an understandable desire for answers and an explanation about what happened. Our investigation is in its very early stages and my officers are working to establish the full circumstances as a priority.

"A 36-year-old man is currently in custody. He was Tasered and arrested 22 minutes after the first call to police was received shortly before 7am.

"I want to reiterate that at present we do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the wider community, we are not looking for more suspects and this incident does not appear to be terror-related.

"We know now that during the incident five people were injured, three members of the public and two police officers.

"The other two members of the public remain in hospital and thankfully their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

"The two Met officers are also in hospital with stab wounds. Both require surgery and have significant injuries but these are not life-threatening.

"I commend the incredible bravery of our officers and the other emergency services who raced to the scene this morning.

"I would ask anyone with any information that could help our investigation to call 101. I know the families of those involved, the community and many across London will want to know why this terrible incident happened.

"We are committed to providing those answers when we can and I would ask for patience while this important work is carried out."

Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell said that the 36-year-old suspect was tasered at the scene earlier today.

In a statement, Mr Bell confirmed that the suspect was arrested 22 minutes after the first call was received and that a 13-year-old boy has died following the incident.

Two police officers have been left needing surgery after suffering stab wounds in the attack, police say.

Two members of the public are also in hospital. Their injuries are not life threatening.

Announcing the death Chief Superintendent, Stuart Bell, said: “It is with great sadness that I confirm that one of those injured in the incident was a 13-year-old boy who had died from their injuries.”

He added: “He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly died a short while after. The child’s family are being supported by my local officers and are now with some specialist officers.

“Everyone across the Met is keeping them in our thoughts at this unimaginably difficult time.”

Police have confirmed that a 13-year-old boy has died. More to follow.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell of the Metropolitan Police will read a statement at the scene in Hainault.

More to follow.

An eyewitness has described the moment the police tasered the alleged attacker.Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, local resident Chris Bates said: "

He had a big samurai sword basically. It was a huge sword. I saw it all from my bedroom window and then when he went into the driveway, a couple of doors down, I ran outside and then the police Tasered him there.

"It’s terrible when people are going to school and work. It’s the last thing you want to hear, someone running around the local area with a samurai sword.

"Thank god I didn’t go down and get a bottle of milk from the local shop otherwise I would have met him, god knows what would have happened. Credit to the police, they were all very brave."

An eyewitness has described what happened during a stand-off between the sword-wielding man and police. The witness, who did not wish to be named, told PA: "He was wielding his sword trying to attack the police but then they sprayed him and he ran away.

"He was shouting at the police 'do you believe in God?', also at the ambulance. We were very scared and trying to hide and not show ourselves through the window, because he was standing right next to our house and he could have seen us if he looked up.

"We were trying to hide but also at the same time taking video of him attacking the police...so, yeah, we were very scared and we didn't know what to do."

An eyewitness to the Hainault attack earlier today has said a young boy was allegedly "stabbed in the head" during the incident. James Fernando, 39, told Express.co.uk that one of the victims was allegedly viciously attacked on his way to school.

He added: "He was wandering around after the police came looking for victims."The severity of the injuries sustained by the victims has not yet been confirmed.

James Fernando told the Express that the suspect 'crashed into a house' by Lang Close before getting out and "stabbing a man in the neck".He claims the man got back in the car and tried to drive to the end of the road, which is a dead end.

It's then that he "pulled" a sword out the back of his trousers and "stabbed another man in his head".

New photographs of the scene in Hainault show some of the aftermath of the incident which happened earlier today.

The photos show a grey van with a damaged front end and debris strewn over the ground nearby.

Police say a 36-year-old man has been arrested following the incident which has seen five people taken to hospital.

A man who has lived in Hainault for 17 years has told the Express about the situation in the area.

Ibrahmin, 45, said: "Police can't control this area. We have told the police so many times. So many kids come in a group with black masks and you can't see their eyes [sic]."

He added: "This area is not safe, last three or four years, very dangerous. The problem is no police around here. [sic]."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has issued a statement on the incident in Hainault.

Writing on X/Twitter, he said: "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."

A local resident has told Express.co.uk about his son's near miss this morning.

Pete, 36 said his son missed the suspect "by 20 mins". He said his son, 14, left for school “about ten to 8” from Lancelot Road, yards from New North Road which has now been blocked off.

A witness to the attack in Hainault said he saw around five or six people trying to fight off the suspect.

Speaking to the BBC he said: "I saw a group of people five or six of them trying to fight off a guy who had a sword in his hand."

He said he saw people "running towards the station" and that "one of the guys was stabbed and they were trying to call the ambulance".

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has paid tribute to the emergency services following this morning's attack.

Speaking at the Society of Editors conference earlier today he said: "I’d like to give my thanks to the emergency teams that are responding and to pay tribute to their bravery."

Footage posted online shows a knifeman wielding a blade around Hainault.

Police were called to east London earlier this morning following reports of a car ramming into a house and several people being stabbed.

Police descended on Hainault earlier today following reports of a stabbing.

A 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene in Redbridge and is currently in custody.In a statement, the Metropolitan Police 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."

Police and other emergency services have descended on Hainault in the aftermath of a critical incident which saw five people taken to hospital and several people stabbed.

Five people have been taken to hospital following the incident in Hainault.

London Ambulance service said in a post on X/Twitter: “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.”

A witness to the incident in Hainault said they heard a scream during what appeared to be a stand-off between police and the man who was later arrested.The man, who did not wish to be named, told PA: "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.

"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."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has responded to the Hainault attack on social media.

Writing on X, he said: "Awful news coming from Hainault. Our thoughts are with the victims. Thankful for the first responders on the scene."

The London Ambulance Service has released a statement on the incident in Hainault this morning. A spokesperson said: "We were called at 6.54am this morning (Tuesday) to reports of an incident near Hainault Underground Station.

“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.”

Police have placed a cordon around the scene of the incident in Hainault, east London.

Home Secretary James Cleverly has said his thoughts are with those affected by the incident in Hainault earlier today.Writing on X/Twitter he said: "I am being regularly updated about the incident at Hainault Station this morning. 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."

Emergency services responded to the critical incident in Hainault which saw a car ram into a house and several people injured earlier today.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has released a statement following the critical incident declared in Hainault this morning.

Mr Khan said: "I am absolutely devastated by the news from Hainault this morning.“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.”

Photographs from social media show a heavy police presence at the scene of the incident in Hainault where several people were stabbed. In a statement, police said a 36-year-old mail had been arrested and was in custody.

Photographs have been released showing the scene of the incident in Hainault, east London following a stabbing earlier today.

The Metropolitan Police have released a statement following a stabbing in Hainault earlier today.They said: "Police and other emergency services are in Hainault, east London, at a serious incident in which a man with a sword has been arrested.

"We were called shortly before 07:00hrs to reports of a vehicle being driven into a house in the Thurlow Gardens area.

"There were reports people have been stabbed.At this time we understand the suspect went on to attack other members of the public and two police officers.

"We are awaiting an update on the condition of those injured. A 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene and he is in custody."Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan added: "This must have been a terrifying incident for those concerned. I know the wider community will be feeling shock and alarm.

"People will want to know what has happened and will we provide more information as soon as we can. 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."

Redbridge MPS have posted an update following the stabbing earlier today. Writing on X/Twitter, they said: "Police are at an incident in the Hainault area. Please follow the instructions of police officers on the ground. A man has been arrested."

Police have placed a cordon around the scene of the incident in Redbridge. Earlier today, a critical incident was declared after four people were injured in a stabbing in east London.

A critical incident has been declared as one man has been detained by police.

Emergency services have rushed to the Tube station on New N Road, in east London this morning.

A 'stabbing' has sparked chaos in east London, with police scrambling to Hainault Tube station in Redbridge.

Police cars, paramedics and multiple ambulances are parked at the scene near the Jet Petrol station this morning.

Speaking to LBC, a witness claims: "There was loud shouting outside my road on Laing Close and a young boy stabbed another guy, then went towards the station. Not sure what happened there."

We'll be bringing you all the latest updates after reports of a stabbing in east London. More to follow.