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
Friends of the family Janti Charalambous and Ade Caxton-Cole have paid tribute to Daniel Anjorin, the 14-year-old who was fatally wounded during the sword attack in Hainault.
They told the PA news agency: “He was a good boy. A lovely boy.
“[The family] are in shock and are very heartbroken. Such a young boy taken away from a family.
“It is sad it has happened in a community and family like this. It is heart-breaking. We are all supporting them in any way they need.”
Daniel's school 'devastated' by news of his death
In a statement on its website, independent school Bancroft’s (which Daniel Anjorin was a pupil at) 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.
His positive nature and gentle character will leave a lasting impact on us. Losing such a young pupil is something we will always struggle to come to terms with.
We are now doing all we can to support our entire community through this most painful situation. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Daniel’s family during this incredibly difficult time.
Updated
In the statement, which you can read here, the Metropolitan police 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.
Hainault attack suspect in police custody after leaving hospital, Met confirms
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.”
The suspect sustained injuries after a vehicle crashed into a house in the north-east London suburb on Tuesday, before video showed him clutching a bladed weapon, and shouts of panic and terror as he moved around the area.
He was detained after being subdued by the firing of a Taser – an electric stun gun – but not before two police officers at the scene had sustained significant injuries.
Updated
Two men in their 30s were injured in sword attack, Met says
In a statement, the Metropolitan police has given further details of how the sword attack unfolded yesterday morning.
The Met 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 reads:
We know that a 33-year-old man was struck when the suspect crashed his van into the property in Laing Close. He was then attacked by the suspect and suffered a wound to his neck.
A 35-year-old man suffered lacerations to his arm when he was attacked inside a nearby property.
The suspect then went on to attack Daniel Anjorin who, as we know, tragically died from his injuries.
Officers arrived at the scene within 12 minutes of the first call. They used their Pava incapacitant spray and Taser, however these had limited impact.
Two officers were subsequently attacked by the suspect, causing serious injuries. They will require long-term rehabilitation to help them recover.
The suspect fled again before being surrounded by other officers in Thurlow Gardens. They used Taser to overpower him.
Police release first image of Daniel Anjorin
The first image of Daniel Anjorin, the 14-year-old boy killed in yesterday’s attack in Hainault, has been released by the Metropolitan police.
Bancroft's School sends statement to parents on Daniel Anjorin's death
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:
I had been intending to write to you once the news has become public, but I understand that many within our community may already be aware of events yesterday.
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.
More details will be forthcoming over the coming hours and days, but for now, our focus is on supporting the members of our community and particularly those who knew Daniel well.
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.
What new information has emerged today about the attack in Hainault?
The Guardian understands that the 14-year-old boy killed in the sword attack in east London yesterday attended the same school as one of the victims of the 2023 Nottingham attacks.
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.
A flag was seen flying at half-mast at Bancroft’s School, in east London, today – we are expecting the school to an issue a statement later on Wednesday.
Daniel’s friend, Cyan Thompson, 19, has told The Independent that people “couldn’t help but smile” when Daniel entered the room.
A statement on the website of the Holy Family Catholic school, in Walthamstow, where the victim’s mother worked, issued a statement expressing its condolences and offering its thoughts and prayers to the victim’s family.
A female police officer who suffered “horrifically serious” arm injuries was one of four people who were hurt in the attack, which is still not thought to have been targeted or terror-related. Metropolitan police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said she is facing “a long journey of recovery” after nearly losing her hand. A male officer also suffered serious hand injuries and is recovering in hospital.
The UK’s prime minister, Rishi Sunak, paid tribute to those affected by the attack at the beginning of prime minister’s Questions on Wednesday, saying that “such violence has no place on our streets”.
Updated
People 'couldn't help but smile' when Daniel walked into a room, friend says
Daniel Anjorin’s friend, Cyan Thompson, 19, has told The Independent that people “couldn’t help but smile” when Daniel entered the room.
Thompson said he was an Arsenal fan who loved studying maths Bancroft’s school in Woodford Green, in east London.
“He was a very good person on his way to school and then some random person did that. For what purpose?” Thompson said.
“I saw him the day before he was killed.”
“I’m way older but Daniel was better than me at Maths. I was planning on playing football with him later today. But that’s not going to happen.
“He was like a prime Messi he could get past me very easily. He was small but very jinky. He was very determined guy. I support Man City he supports Arsenal it was a good rivalry. You couldn’t help but smile when he walked into the room.”
Updated
School where victim's mother works shares its condolences
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.
Daniel 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.
Updated
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 the thoughts of all MPs are with the people affected by yesterday’s attack.
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.
I would just like to reiterate my thanks to the police and other emergency first responders for embodying the highest standards of public service under such awful circumstances.
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.
Updated
Mental health services key to preventing violent crimes, says Khan
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.
In an interview with the Guardian, he said such crimes were preventable and said years of austerity has left NHS mental health provision on its knees.
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.
Khan praised officers for running towards the suspect, even though he was armed, to try to keep the public safe. The Guardian understands police are investigating whether the individual has a history of mental ill health.
We’ve had too many examples in recent years of people responsible for the most serious crimes having mental ill health.
I’m in no way excusing criminality but it’s quite clear there are complex causes – deprivation, poverty, alienation, lack of opportunity, ill health. Of course we’re tough on crime and support the police, but we also need to be tough on the complex causes of crime.
We need to make sure that young people in particular get proper medical treatment rather than waiting years and years and in the end having to have a crisis before they get the help they need.
Where did the attack take place?
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.
Rowley told LBC radio: “I saw the [male] inspector whose hand is badly damaged. I saw him before the operation, and he was in good spirits. I think that was partly the morphine, to be honest.
“But he’s got a lot of patching up to be done on his hand. Really serious injuries there.
“And I was talking to the family and colleagues of the woman officer who’s really badly damaged [her] arm, really seriously damaged and the surgeon spent … many, many hours basically putting her arm back together. It will be a long journey of recovery.”
Boy attended same school as victim of Nottingham stabbing
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.
A statement on the website of the Holy Family Catholic school, in Walthamstow, where the victim’s mother worked, said: “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.”
The man suspected of carrying out the stabbings in Hainault is to be questioned by detectives after doctors declared him fit to leave hospital and formally enter police custody.
The 36-year-old was arrested at the scene of a 22-minute violent rampage, first with a van and then a sword, that left the 14-year-old boy dead and four others injured.
The suspect sustained injuries after a vehicle crashed into a house in the north-east London suburb on Tuesday, before video showed him clutching a bladed weapon, and shouts of panic and terror as he moved around the area.
He was detained after being subdued by the firing of a Taser – an electric stun gun – but not before two police officers at the scene had sustained significant injuries.
