Summary of the day
Here is a round up of the key updates from today:
The 14-year-old boy killed in the sword attack in north-east London attended the same school as one of the victims of the 2023 Nottingham attacks, the Guardian understands. The teenager, understood to be Daniel Anjorin, was a student at the private Bancroft’s school in Woodford Green, which is still reeling from losing one of its alumni, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, who was stabbed to death in Nottingham in June 2023. The school is to issue a statement later on Wednesday.
In a statement, the Metropolitan police said a 33-year-old man was attacked by the suspect and suffered a wound to the neck, adding that a 35-year-old man “suffered lacerations to his arm” when he was attacked inside a house.
The statement, which you can read here, also said: “We are aware of speculation about previous police contact with the suspect. Urgent checks of our systems have so far found no trace of a prior incident so far but we are working to be absolutely certain.
The Metropolitan police has said a 36-year-old man is in police custody on suspicion of Daniel’s murder. “He was arrested before being taken to hospital due to injuries from the crash,” the Met statement reads. “He is now in police custody.”
Daniel Anjorin’s friend, Cyan Thompson, 19, has told The Independent that people “couldn’t help but smile” when Daniel entered the room. “He was a very good person on his way to school and then some random person did that. For what purpose?” Thompson said.
The head of Bancroft’s School, Simon Marshall, has sent a statement to parents, in which Daniel Anjorin, the 14-year-old boy killed in the Hainault attack yesterday, was described as a “much-loved” member of the school. The statement, seen by the BBC, reads: “It is therefore with great sadness and shock that I am writing to inform you of the tragic death of Daniel Anjorin, one of our pupils. Our thoughts and prayers at this moment are with Daniel’s family and friends.
In a statement on their website, Daniel Anjorin’s school Bancroft’s, said: “We are devastated by the heartbreaking news of the death of Daniel Anjorin, who attended our school. This has left us in profound shock and sorrow. Daniel joined Bancroft’s at seven years old and quickly became a core member of our community. He was a true scholar, demonstrating commendable dedication to his academic pursuits.
The scene in Hainault remains quiet following yesterday’s sword attack, with access to the residential area in east London continuing to be restricted, the Telegraph’s Neil Johnston reports. Few people have been allowed in or out of the police cordon, Johnston, who is reporting from the area, noted.
The Metropolitan police commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, hailed the bravery of his officers and gave further details of the trauma the two officers had suffered after coming face to face with the suspect.
Too many people with mental health issues who have committed violent crimes missed out on treatment as a result of cuts to support services, Sadiq Khan has warned. The mayor of London’s remarks came after a “devastating” attack by a man armed with a sword left a 14-year-old boy dead and four others injured in east London, including two police officers who sustained serious wounds.
Earlier today, the leaders of the UK’s two biggest political parties paid tribute to the victims of the attack during prime minister’s Questions. Rishi Sunak said: “Such violence has no place on our streets. It is absolutely heartbreaking that a teenage boy has died and I can’t imagine what his family are going through, and we send them our heartfelt condolences and offer our very best wishes to all those injured.” Keir Starmer backed what Sunak said about the attack. He praised the emergency services, and sent his condolences to the family of the boy killed.
Daniel Anjorin’s mother works at Holy Family Catholic School, which published a statement on its website addressed to parents and carers. It read: “It is with great sadness that I share with you the news of the death of the child of one of our staff members. Mrs Anjorin’s son was taken from this life suddenly this morning on his way to school. Please keep Mrs Anjorin, her husband and their other children in your prayers.
That is all for today. Thank you for following along with our live updates.
Hainault attack: school praises Daniel Anjorin’s ‘positive and gentle’ character
This is the latest from my colleague – the Guardian’s police and crime correspondent, Vikram Dodd.
The 14-year-old boy killed in the sword attacks in north-east London was praised as a “true scholar” by his school, the same one attended by one of the victims of the 2023 Nottingham stabbings.
The teenager named by police as Daniel Anjorin, was a student at the private Bancroft’s school in Woodford Green, which is still reeling from losing former student, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, in the June 2023 Nottingham stabbings.
In a statement, the school said: “We are devastated by the heartbreaking news of the death of Daniel Anjorin, who attended our school. This has left us in profound shock and sorrow…
You can read the full story here.
Updated
