Woman arrested after four stabbed in central London

A woman aged 47 has been taken into custody following an incident where four men were stabbed in Covent Garden, central London, according to the Metropolitan Police. The victims, whose ages range from 34 to 52, were rushed to hospital after emergency services received reports of the attack on Endell Street at approximately 12:30 BST.

Of the four men injured, two remain hospitalized with wounds that are not considered life-threatening or permanently damaging, while the other two have already been discharged. Authorities arrested the woman on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and assault. It is understood that the event was linked to mental health issues, and a pair of scissors was recovered from the scene.

Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart commented on the incident, stating, “Officers responded within minutes of this incident after receiving a number of reports. While still at an early stage of the investigation, we would like to reassure the community that we currently believe this to be an isolated, mental-health related incident.” He also mentioned that a “visible police presence” would be maintained in the area as the investigation continues. Although the London Air Ambulance landed nearby in Trafalgar Square as part of the emergency response, all victims were transported to hospital via road.

The police had established a cordon extending from High Holborn to the St Mungo’s homeless centre on the street, but this was lifted after 15:00. Officers were seen engaging with individuals before they entered the centre. Witness Matt Bishop, 42, who works close to the cordoned area, described seeing a woman holding a “stand-off” with three police officers and wielding a weapon. He recalled, “I didn’t see the stabbing. I saw her running down the road towards the crossroads. She looked quite old, short hair.” He added, “She was pretty incoherent in what she was shouting, the officer was asking what language she was shouting.

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