A 14-year-old boy has died and two police officers have “significant injuries” after an attack near a Tube station in northeast London.
A man reportedly crashed a vehicle into a house in Thurlow Gardens, a road near Hainault tube station, shortly before 7am, and then allegedly stabbed a number of people, police said in a statement this morning.
Police originally said a 13-year-old boy had died after being stabbed. They later clarified that he was 14.
Here’s everything we know.
Image: Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell reads a statement to the media. Pic: PA
Full police statement – one confirmed dead
Chief Superintendent Bell: “You will be aware that a serious incident occurred here at this location this morning. Police and ambulance services were called and deployed to a number of casualties. It is with great sadness that I confirm that one of those injured in the incident, a 13-year-old boy, has died from their injuries. He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly died a short while after.
“The child’s family are being supported firstly by my local officers and now with some specialist officers and 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 even begin to imagine how 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 and try to understand what has happened here.
“I know that there will be, clearly and understandably, a desire for answers and an explanation as to what happened. Our investigation is in its very early stages and my officers are working right now to establish the full facts as a priority. And we will share what we can, when we can, with the wider community and of course with yourselves.
“A 36-year-old is currently in custody. He was Tasered here at the scene and arrested 22 minutes after the first call was made to police shortly before 7am this morning.
“I want to confirm at present that we do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the wider public and we’re not seeking any other persons. The incident does not appear to be linked to any act of terrorism.”
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Chief superintendent Stuart Bell giving his update
The chief superintendent added: “We know now that during the incident five people were injured – three members of the public and two of my local officers who were responding to the call. Two of those members of the public remain in hospital. Thankfully, their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
“The two Met police officers are also currently in hospital with wounds. Both require surgery and have significant injuries, but we believe at this stage that they are not life-threatening. I commend the incredible bravery of not just the police officers but the other emergency responders who came to this scene this morning.
“I would ask anyone with information or any footage that would help us with this investigation to share that with us and call 101, please.
“I know the families of those involved, the local and wider community and many across London will want to know why this terrible incident occurred. And it’s our job to find that out. And we will. I am committed to providing those answers when we can. And I would ask for some patience while this important work is carried out. Thank you for your time.”
He then answered questions from journalists, when he revealed the suspect was arrested at the scene and that the attack is not believed to have been targeted.
Image: Forensic investigators in Hainault. Pic: PA
Suspect is in hospital
Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said in a later update that the suspect was in hospital having suffered “injuries” when his van collided with a building.
“He has been arrested on suspicion of murder at this time,” she added.
“Given his injuries, we have been unable to interview him.”
Addressing speculation on the suspect’s background, Ms Rolfe said police have carried out “extensive checks”.
“We have found no trace of a prior incident involving him so far,” she said.
New images show suspect being tackled by police
Image: Pic: PA
Image: Pic: PA
Image: Pic: PA
‘There was a stand-off down an alley – then a woman was stabbed’
Witnesses have shared their accounts of the attack this morning.
One man, who asked not to be named, said: “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.”
He added he also heard the words “he’s got a massive knife” or “he’s got a massive sword”.
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Footage showing the man with a sword. Credit: @ell_pht
Local resident Silvia Ganceva told Sky News she heard “voices” in the morning outside her home, and her son asked her what was happening.
She said she told him “maybe someone is fighting” as she watched from the window, adding she was “scared” to go outside after she heard police arrive.
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Witnesses describe knife attack
Another witness said he heard shrieking that “sounded like police” at the time.
“It was like ‘Stop where you are, put that down, put that down’ – that kind of thing,” they said.
“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.”
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0:59
Police cordon around streets after sword attack
Another witness told Sky News they saw someone being given CPR and a man running out of a house, with a hand “bleeding quite badly”.
They added: “I was driving up New North Road just after 7am, it felt eerie and strange, people were scurrying about looking around, like they were on alert for something or someone.
“I spoke to a few guys who told me a man was on the run after stabbing people.
“It was very scary and not something you expect to happen on your doorstep.”
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Graham Wettone, a former police officer and policing expert, said it’s been a “swift response” from emergency services who have “secured the area”.
He said the police officers who responded to the emergency calls had most likely just started their shifts, as 7am is usually when the overnight officers switch with daytime ones.
“That call’s come in literally on change over, about 6.54am… so they probably ran out from their briefing… straight to the venue.”
He said the first unit on the scene may not have been aware the suspect was armed with a sword, suggesting they may have only known there was a road collision or disturbance at an address.
Mr Wettone added: “It depends on the information given to the emergency operator. It may well those initial officers have then been confronted with the suspect with the sword, and then called for additional units to support them.”
Passengers travelling to Heathrow Airport are facing delays on the road after a vehicle caught fire in a tunnel.
“Due to an earlier vehicle fire, road access to Terminals 2 and 3 is partially restricted,” the airport said in a post on X shortly before 7am.
“Passengers are advised to leave more time travelling to the airport and use public transport where possible.
“We apologise for the disruption caused.”
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AA Roadwatch said one lane was closed and there was “queueing traffic” due to a vehicle fire on Tunnel Road “both ways from Terminals 2 and 3 to M4 Spur Road (Emirates roundabout)”.
“Congestion to the M4 back along the M4 Spur, and both sides on the A4. Down to one lane each way through one tunnel…,” it added.
National Highways: East said in an update: “Traffic officers have advised that the M4 southbound spur Heathrow in Greater London between the J4 and J4A has now been reopened.”
The agency warned of “severe delays on the approach” to the airport, recommended allowing extra time to get there and thanked travellers for their patience.
The London Fire Brigade said in a post on X just before at 7.51am it was called “just before 3am” to a car fire in a tunnel near HeathrowAirport.
“Firefighters attended and extinguished the fire, which involved a diesel-powered vehicle. No one was hurt and the airport has now confirmed the tunnel has re-opened.”
Travellers writing on social media reported constrasting experiences, with @ashleyark calling it “complete chaos on all surrounding roads”, but @ClaraCouchCASA said she “went to T5 and got the express to T3”, describing the journey as “very easy and no time delay at all. 7am this morning. Hope this helps others”.
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A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 40-year-old woman was shot dead in South Wales.
The woman was found with serious injuries just after 6pm on Sunday and died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services.
She was discovered in the Green Park area of Talbot Green, a town about 15 miles west of Cardiff.
A 42-year-old local man is in police custody.
Detective Chief Inspector James Morris said: “I understand the concern this will cause the local community, and I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night.”
UK drivers are “confused” by the country’s electric car transition, ministers are being warned.
Although most drivers are not hostile towards electric vehicles (EVs), many are confused about what changes are coming and when, according to new research from the AA.
In a survey of more than 14,000 AA members, 7% thought the government was banning the sale of used petrol and diesel cars.
Around a third thought manual EVs exist, despite them all being automatic.
More than one in five said they would never buy an EV.
The government’s plan for increasing the number of electric vehicles being driven in the UK focuses heavily on increasing the supply of the vehicles.
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1:17
What you can do to reach net zero
In 2024, at least 22% of new cars and 10% of new vans sold by each manufacturer in the UK had to be zero-emission, which generally means pure electric.
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Each year, those percentages will rise, reaching 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans in 2030.
Manufacturers will face fines of £15,000 per vehicle if electric vehicle sales fall short of 28% of total production this year.
By 2035, all new cars and vans will be required to be fully zero emission, according to the Department for Transport.
Second-hand diesel and petrol cars will still be allowed to be sold after this date, and their fuel will still be available.
There are more EVs – but will people buy them?
In February, 25% of new cars were powered purely by battery and in January, they made up 21% of all new cars registered in the UK.
But despite the growth of electric sales, manufacturers continue to warn that the market will not support the growth required to hit government EV targets, and called for consumer incentives and the extension of tax breaks.
The AA suggested the government’s plan focuses on “supply but does little to encourage demand for EVs”.
It called on ministers to co-ordinate a public awareness campaign alongside the motoring industry which directly targets drivers who doubt the viability of EVs.
“Our message to government is more needs to be done to make EVs accessible for everyone,” said Jakob Pfaudler, AA chief executive.
Which? head of consumer rights Sue Davis said: “When it comes to making sustainable choices such as switching to an electric car, our research shows that people are often held back by high costs, complex choices or uncertainty.
“The government needs to provide the right information on electric vehicles and other sustainable choices so that people have the confidence to switch.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We’re investing over £2.3bn to help industry and consumers make a supported switch to EVs.
“This includes installing a public charge point every 28 minutes, keeping EV incentives in the company car tax regime to 2030, and extending 100% first-year allowances for zero-emission cars for another year.
“Second-hand EVs are also becoming cheaper than ever, with one in three available under £20,000 and 21 brand new models available for less than £30,000.
“We’re seeing growing consumer confidence as a result.”