A man has been arrested after three people were attacked with a sword in a “frightening” rampage this morning.
Two police officers and a member of the public were injured after it was reported that a car had entered a house in Hainault, east London, shortly after 7am on Tuesday.
Footage posted on social media appears to show officers approaching a man with a knife and a yellow hoodie wielding a sword.
The Metropolitan Police later confirmed that a 36-year-old man had been arrested.
They are not looking for additional suspects in connection with the ordeal and that the attack “does not appear to be related to terrorism.”
Locals told MailOnline how they woke up to sounds of “heartbreaking screams” and a man “covered in blood” outside their homes in the Thurlow Gardens area.
A man “wielding a machete” was seen “prowling the streets of east London”
Emergency services outside Hainault metro station this morning
Police cars spotted today on a road near Hainault metro station
Several police cars and fire engines have been spotted outside the station in east London.
Daniel Garfinkle, who lives outside the station, said: “I woke up at 7am to a lot of screaming.
‘There was a guy outside covered in blood, near the station and outside my house.
‘Police were trying to calm down the man who carried out the stabbing.
But he headed towards the station. She continued screaming.
Another local said: “There was at least one man lying in a pool of blood.”
‘It was horrible. There were some terrible screams to which I woke up. Piercing screams.
“People said it was with a machete.”
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “Police and other emergency services are in Hainault, east London, to a serious incident in which a man with a sword has been arrested.
‘We were called shortly before 7am to inform us that a vehicle had entered a house in the Thurlow Gardens area. There were reports that people had been stabbed.
‘At this stage we understand that the suspect attacked other members of the public and two police officers.
“We are awaiting an update on the status of the injured.
“A 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene and is in custody.”
Police officers gather outside the tube station in east London as they respond to a “serious incident”.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan added: “This must have been a terrifying incident for those affected.”
‘I know the wider community will be shocked and alarmed.
“People will want to know what has happened and we will provide them with more information as soon as we can.”
People were seen gathering on the road in front of the Hainault metro station and a helicopter circling overhead.
Redbridge Borough Police also confirmed on X that they were responding to an incident in the Hainault area.
They advised people to follow police instructions and that a man had been arrested.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Firefighters were mobilized to assist police and London Ambulance Service colleagues at an incident near Hainault tube station.
People were seen gathering on the road in front of the Hainault metro station and a helicopter circling overhead.
Redbridge County Police confirmed on X that they were responding to an incident in the Hainault area.
‘The teams supported London Ambulance Service teams in providing immediate emergency care.
‘The brigade was called at 7.35am and the incident ended for the firefighters at 9.24am.
“Fire crews from Dagenham, Walthamstow, Ilford, Romford, Hainault, East Ham and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.”
MP Wes Streeting posted on X: ‘A critical incident has been declared in Hainault. There are closures of stations and roads.
‘Police, ambulance service and fire brigade are responding. A man arrested.
“I urge people not to speculate until details are confirmed or post images on social media.”
He added: “I am in contact with the Metropolitan Police, the Mayor of London and Redbridge Council.
“I will keep local residents informed when I can.”
This is breaking news; there will be more below.
