Police says 19-year-old man arrested and ‘mental health’ a significant factor in the attack although ‘terrorism’ is also one line of inquiry
Latest developments on London stabbing
A woman has been killed and five people have been injured in a mass stabbing in the centre of London.
Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command, known as SO15, were investigating the incident in Russell Square on Wednesday night but police also said that mental health could be a “significant factor”.
Live London stabbing: police say mental health ‘significant factor’ in Russell Square attack – live
Latest updates as police say they are considering possibility of terrorist motive for mass stabbing in central London on Wednesday evening
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Police said there would be an increased police presence on the streets of London from Thursday morning “for reassurance and safety”.
A woman in her 60s was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later. Another two women and three men suffered “various injuries” in the attack, police said on Thursday morning.
A 19-year-old man was arrested minutes after police arrived on the scene which is in a busy area close to the British Musem and home to many hotels and restaurants popular with tourists.
The suspect, who was Tasered during the arrest, was being held in custody in hospital, police said.
Local borough police responded to the incident but as detail emerged, the decision was made to involve the counter-terrorism command in the investigation.
Mark Rowley, an assistant commissioner in the Metropolitan police and Britain’s most senior counter terrorism officer, made a statement to the media outside Scotland Yard headquarters shortly after 3.30am on Thursday morning.
He said: “Early indications suggest mental health is a significant factor in this case and that is one major line of inquiry.
“But of course at this stage we should keep an open mind regarding motive and consequently terrorism as a motivation remains but one line of inquiry for us to explore.
“At present the Met’s homicide command are investigating the incident but at present are supported by our counterterrorism unit.
“As a precautionary measure tomorrow, Londoners will wake up and in the morning they will notice an increased police presence on the streets, including armed officers.”
Police cordoned off the area and were also stopping people entering Bedford Place, just off Russell Square, where it is believed the suspect was arrested.
Two forensic team officers wearing protective suits were examining the scene.
A caller to BBC Radio London named Paul said he had been to the nearby Bloomsbury cinema with his girlfriend when he came across the scene.
“We came around the corner and there were armed police everywhere … a massive police presence … and a corpse lying in the street covered in a blanket.
We went into the bar across the street and the officers came to interview us … we didn’t actually see anything but some people in the bar saw something.”
Extra police have been deployed in the area to provide reassurance.
A police statement clarifying some details of the incident was issued at 5am. “Police were called just after 22:30hrs to reports of a man armed with a knife assaulting people at Russell Square, Camden,” it said.
Armed officers attended the scene within approximately five minutes. They discharged a Taser whilst arresting the suspect.
“Six people were injured during the incident, including the woman who died at the scene. Two other women and three men (no further information) received various injuries in the attack. The deceased woman is believed to be in her 60s.
“The suspect, a 19-year-old man, is currently in police custody at a London hospital.
“Early indications suggest that mental health is a significant factor in this case, but we retain an open mind regarding the motive and terrorism remains one line of inquiry.
“The Metropolitan police service’s homicide and major crime command is investigating, supported by officers from the counter terrorism command.”
Scotland Yard had earlier on Wednesday announced an extra 600 officers armed officers were being deployed on patrol in London after the recent terror attacks in France and Germany.
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