A summary of today’s developments
The Metropolian Police said a 14-year-old boy was killed in the sword attack this morning in Hainault, East London. The boy’s family is being supported by specialist officers, the orcesaid.
Five people were also injured in the attack: two members of the public and two Metropolitan police officers.
The two Met officers suffered wounds that both require surgery, with Ch Supt Stuart Bell, of the Met police, describing their injuries as “significant” but not life-threatening. The injuries sustained by the two members of the public are also not deemed to be life-threatening.
The suspect, a 36-year-old man, is in hospital after sustaining “injuries” when his van collided with a building, the Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Louisa Rolfe said. He has been arrested on suspicion of murder but has yet to be interviewed by police due to his injuries. On speculation about his background, Rolfe said: “We have found no trace of a prior incident involving him so far.”
Bell also said at an earlier press conference that he did not believe it was a targeted attack, and it is not believed to be terror-related.
Police said the 36-year-old suspect was arrested 22 minutes after the first call, after being Tasered.
The Guardian understands that police have been investigating whether the suspect in the Hainault attack had a history of mental ill-health.
London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, said he was “absolutely devastated” about the incident and the UK’s prime minister, Rishi Sunak, described it as “shocking”.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has posted this message on X to thank the police and emergency services for their response to the incident in Hainault.
I remain in close contact with the Commissioner about the incident in Hainault this morning.
— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) April 30, 2024
The police officers and emergency services who ran towards danger to protect others showed the best of our city - and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. pic.twitter.com/W17SSXFbCj
