Two of four men injured in a stabbing attack in London's Covent Garden have been released from hospital, police say
A woman, 47, was arrested earlier on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and assault - read the police statement in full
Images show a suspect being arrested on the ground by two police officers
London's Air Ambulance was sent to the scene, landing in nearby Trafalgar Square, but the four men - aged between 34 and 52 - were taken to a major trauma centre by road
"We would like to reassure the community that we currently believe this to be an isolated, mental-health related incident," says the Met's Ch Supt Jason Stewart
A local businessman tells the BBC he saw a woman walking down the street appearing to stab people randomly
Meanwhile, two tourists at the scene describe seeing "so many emergency services arriving" and a man being "put inside the ambulance"
An employee at 2 Chairs Grooming Room, a barber shop on Endell Street, says they helped one of the victims call the police after they had been stabbed.
The employee, who wished to remain anonymous, tells the Press Association: “One of the victims ran into the shop to call the police...
“He was traumatised, he was panicked but the police turned up very quickly.”
We can now bring you an image of a suspect being arrested at the scene in Covent Garden.
As a reminder, police were called at 12:27 BST to reports of a stabbing on Endell Street. A 47-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and assault.
Image source, SWNS
Tom Symonds
Reporting from the scene
An eyewitness has told us that a woman began trying to stab people who were around her.
It was clearly a serious situation.
I've spoken to a man who told me he was trying to help as this situation developed - he described helping a man and holding the arms of a woman who had a large pair of scissors.
Nisha Patel
Reporting from the scene
Local businessman Arjan says he saw a woman walk down Endell Street and appear to stab people randomly. They didn't appear to be known to her.
He said the woman is often seen in the area.
Manish Pandey
Reporting from Trafalgar Square
About a 15-minute walk away from Covent Garden is Trafalgar Square, where a London Air Ambulance landed earlier. Musician Andrea Borin was busking here at the time.
He says it’s “not the first time” he’s seen a helicopter land in the square during an emergency.
Andrea, 26, has been playing here for about five years, and says he and other buskers “stopped” what they were doing when the helicopter arrived “out of respect”.
He says he saw paramedics leave the helicopter and dash off down the road.
The helicopter landed for about an hour before leaving, he adds.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesA woman has been arrested after four people were stabbed in central London.
Here's a look at what we know - and don't - about the incident.
What we know
What we don't know
There has been a heavy police presence in Covent Garden throughout the afternoon.
Officers have been stationed around the area, which is one of the busiest areas in central London. New photos taken at the scene show that police are carrying out an investigation behind a cordon.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesManish Pandey
Reporting from the scene
This is an area with quite a few businesses, including pubs, restaurants and theatres.
Some of those who I’ve spoken to say they arrived for their work shift after police made an arrest, but could see the chaos around the police cordons.
One member of the public, who asked not to be named, says he was inside the Shaftesbury Theatre when the incident occurred.
He says he came outside and saw blocked roads, multiple police cars and ambulances - a scene unusual for the area, he adds.
Covent Garden is a busy and touristy area in the heart of central London.
Just minutes away from the British Museum, the area is known for its shops and restaurants.
The area is in the city's West End and home to several theatres. Head south from Endell Street - where the stabbing took place - and you will hit the River Thames.
Also nearby is Trafalgar Square, popular with tourists, where a London Air Ambulance landed earlier to help treat the stabbing victims.
Image source, PA MediaTwo of the victims involved in today's incident have injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing, the Metropolitan Police has said.
The other two victims have been discharged from hospital, a statement from the police force adds.
"Four men – aged 34, 39, 42, and 52 - were found with stab wounds and assessed at the scene by paramedics," it reads.
"They were taken to hospital where two remain with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening or life changing. The other two victims have since been discharged."
The Metropolitan Police believes the incident is isolated and "mental-health related" according to Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart.
In a statement on X, he says: "Officers responded within minutes of this incident after receiving a number of reports.
"While still at an early stage of the investigation, we would like to reassure the community that we currently believe this to be an isolated, mental-health related incident.
"A visible police presence will remain in the area while evidence is gathered at the scene and we thank the public for their understanding."
Manish Pandey
Reporting from the scene
Tim Keates, a painter working on a salon, says he has been in the area since 11:30.
He tells me he didn’t realise something had happened until police cordoned off the intersection.
Keates, 61, says he saw a number of police and dozens of paramedics, but not the incident itself.
Members of the public would approach the cordon down the road and then turn back and walk past him.
He has been working in the area since the start of the week and says it is “busier” in the streets today than on previous days.
Nick Johnson
Reporting from the scene
Lottie Johnson and Ben Ormonde are visiting the capital for the day.
They were sitting on a bench at about 12:30, when they saw police cars, incident response vehicles and paramedics arrive on the corner of High Holborn and Endell Street.
“There were so many emergency services arriving” they said.
“We could see a man being assessed by ambulance crews - he was walking and didn’t outwardly appear injured, we couldn’t see blood, but he was put inside the ambulance”.
Manish Pandey
Reporting from the scene
I’ve just spoken to Angel Daden.
She was in a spin class at Oasis Sports Centre when someone came in and told her “people are being stabbed outside”.
Angel, 55, says she came outside for “a quick look” and saw a bandaged person heading into an ambulance.
But she didn’t see who was carrying out the attack.
Angel tells me she hasn’t experienced something like this in the 18 years she’s lived in the area.
Nick Johnson
Reporting from the scene
In the past few minutes, police have removed their cordon and reopened the area to traffic and pedestrians.
Much of the police activity has been focused on a building on the corner of High Holborn and Endell Street which belongs to the homeless charity, St Mungo’s.
Manish Pandey
Reporting from the scene
A police cordon near the scene has been removed and people are now able to walk through as normal.
Officers are telling members of the public that things are under control.
The sound of a helicopter overhead remains.
Earlier today, an air ambulance could be seen taking off from Trafalgar Square, with a large crowd gathered in the tourist hot spot.
The air ambulance departed with no patients on board - they were ultimately transported to hospital by road.
Watch: London Air Ambulance takes off from Trafalgar Square
There is a large police presence in Covent Garden after four men were taken to hospital with stab wounds.
The Metropolitan Police says a 47-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and assault.
The force says its officers will remain in the vicinity, with a crime scene in place on Endell Street and the surrounding area.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Image source, LBCLondon's Air Ambulance was earlier seen landing in Trafalgar Square following reports of the stabbing.
Emergency crews say it was dispatched as part of their response, but that four patients were ultimately transported to hospital by road.
Here's what the Metropolitan Police has said:
"At around 12:27hrs on Wednesday, 5 August, police were called to reports of stabbing on Endell Street, Covent Garden.
"Officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance.
Four men - aged 34, 39, 42, and 52 - were found with stab wounds and assessed at the scene by paramedics. They have since been taken to hospital and we await an update on their injuries.
"A 47-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and assault. She was taken to custody where she remains.
"Police remain in the area, with a scene in place on Endell Street and the surrounding areas in Covent Garden."
