Four men were stabbed in London’s Covent Garden on Wednesday afternoon in what police believe was a random attack, leading to the arrest of a 47-year-old woman on suspicion of assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
The Metropolitan Police said the men, aged 34, 39, 42 and 52, were found with stab wounds on Endell Street, in the heart of the busy central London shopping and theatre district, according to NBC News. Officers said the woman was taken into custody, where she remained as of Wednesday afternoon.
Covent Garden Incident Latest News: What Do Police Believe Caused The Attack?
Investigators have pointed to a specific line of inquiry as they work to establish a motive. Police said early indications suggested it was a mental health-related incident, and confirmed that scissors were recovered at the scene. A CNN report citing the Metropolitan Police similarly noted that the incident is suspected to be a mental health-related episode, based on preliminary investigation.
Covent Garden Incident Latest News: How Did Witnesses Describe The Scene?
Bystanders in the area described a frightening and disorienting few minutes as the attack unfolded near the Shaftesbury Theatre before the woman made her way down Endell Street. One witness, identified as Gjorga, 48, told the Press Association, “She just started stabbing random people. I didn’t see any scissors, but I heard it was with small scissors. We saw this lady after a few minutes being arrested – the police responded immediately.”
Another witness, Matt Bishop, 42, who works at a nearby consultancy firm, described a tense standoff between the woman and police before her arrest. “I didn’t see the stabbing. I saw her running down the road towards the crossroads. She looked quite old, short hair. There was a bit of a stand-off with three police officers,” Bishop told ITV News London, adding, “She didn’t seem to be particularly coherent. She was pretty incoherent in what she was shouting, the officer was asking what language she was shouting.”
Covent Garden Incident Latest News: What Is The Condition Of The Injured Men?
Emergency services responded rapidly once the alarm was raised. A London Ambulance Service spokesperson told CNN that the service received a call reporting a stabbing at 12:29 pm local time, adding, “We sent an ambulance crew, a paramedic in a fast response car and an incident response officer. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.” All four men were treated at the scene before being taken to a major trauma centre as a priority.
Two of the men have since been discharged from hospital, while the remaining two continue to receive treatment, though their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing, according to a later update from authorities. Covent Garden, known for its markets, theatres and proximity to the Royal Opera House, remains one of London’s busiest tourist destinations, and police have not indicated whether any further arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
