Man with sword arrested after attack by police and public in east London

Police have arrested a man who drove a van into a house before allegedly “lurking” on people’s doorsteps armed with a sword. There was a horrific attack in which five people were injured, including two police officers.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed emergency services were responding to a serious incident in Hainault, east London, after a man drove into a house and was reportedly rioting with a sword.

Five people were taken to hospital after the incident broke out just before 7am, with two of them believed to be police officers.

A 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene and is in custody, police said. The incident is not classified as terrorist.

Follow our live updates on this groundbreaking incident here.

Shocking footage posted on social media following the incident shows a man wearing a yellow sweater and dark trousers, carrying what appears to be a samurai sword.

A frightened neighbor told us The Independent: “The attacker was a total idiot when he targeted innocent people on their way out for the day.”

The eyewitness said he woke up to a “tremendous crash” and saw a van crash into the opposite side of the house. He said another local went to check on the driver before he was attacked.

“The driver then got back in his car, backed out of the house and drove up the side street opposite, where it all began. People were running and screaming,” he continued.

“You can see he has stabbed several people on this street. He lurked outside people’s houses, brandishing a samurai sword.”

He added: “Then he walked back down the street as people ran and shouted while he brandished his samurai sword and threatened civilians and walked past my house.”

The man is said to have turned down an alley when he was cornered by police in a standoff before locals heard more screams and sobs.

The witness added: “It’s all so surreal for a Tuesday morning. I was at home the whole time looking out the window so I was never worried, but the kids were on their way to school and my neighbors were on their way to work.”

Another witness, Manpreet Singh, said he saw police use a Taser on the suspect around 7 a.m. after he tried to break into a house.

“I was just leaving the office, it was 7am and I heard chaos across the street,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I saw a group of people, five or six, trying to fight off a guy – he had a sword in his hand.”

Mr Singh said one of the people who fought off the suspect was injured, while others tried to call police and emergency services. The man was on his way to the train station and tried to break into a nearby house when he was caught.

“He tried to enter one of the houses but failed and was subsequently tasered,” he added.

A Laing Close resident relived the moment as she hid in her home as the suspect outside shouted “Do you believe in God?” while an injured person lay on the ground nearby.

“He swung his sword and tried to attack the police, but then they sprayed him and he ran away,” she said.

“He shouted at the police: ‘Do you believe in God?’, also at the ambulance.

“We were very scared and tried to hide and not show ourselves through the window because he was standing right next to our house and could have seen us if he looked up.”

Another viewer said it The Independent: “I was woken up by loud screaming outside and then I saw someone stabbing another child.

“Then the police came like crazy. The young man made his way to the train station and I’m not sure what happened there.

“But he had a big sword and was standing right in front of my door. I’m just lucky that my mother is well. She was just about to go to work.”

Referring to one of the alleged victims, he added: “It was a young man. He lives around the corner and was probably on his way to school.”

Another neighbor praised the actions of a female police officer who took on the suspect alone and reportedly managed to pepper spray him in the face.

Robert Harrison, 71, was woken screaming as he saw the suspect walk past his home on New North Road.

He said The Independent: “I saw him walk right by in his orange hoodie. There was something wrong with him, he screamed and shouted.

“I usually go for a walk at this time. He was really upset and was screaming and cursing. Many people came out to try him.

“There was a policewoman alone who tried to stop him. She was so brave. People criticize the police, but they were great.

“He jumped at her and she sprayed him with something. She tried to stop him from getting to the train station.”

Wes Streeting, Labor MP for Ilford North, posted on X that a “critical incident” had been reported and a man had been arrested.

He later thanked emergency services and the “heroic” Met police officers “who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others”, adding: “They are the best of us.”

“My prayers go out to the injured and their families,” he said.

“I know there will be widespread fear and alarm in our community, but police have made an arrest and are not looking for any additional suspects.”

The Met said in a statement that it had been called to reports that a vehicle had driven into a house in Thurlow Gardens shortly before 7am and there had been a stabbing.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “This must have been a frightening incident for those affected.”

“I know the general public will be shocked and alarmed.

“People will want to know what happened and we will provide more information as quickly as possible.”

Police said they were not looking for other suspects and the incident did not appear to be related to terrorism.

The London Fire Brigade said it was called to assist with the incident in Hainault, with crews on scene between 7.35am and 9.24am.

A spokesman added: “Firefighters were mobilized to assist police and London Ambulance Service colleagues at an incident near Hainault tube station.

“Crews assisted London Ambulance Service crews in providing immediate emergency care.”

On social media, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I am completely shocked by the news from Hainault this morning.

“I remain in constant contact with the commissioner. One man was arrested and the area was secured.

“Police are not looking for anyone in connection with this incident. There will be additional reassurance patrols in the area.

“The police and emergency services showed the best of our city – running towards danger to protect others and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”

Rishi Sunak paid tribute to the bravery of emergency workers who responded to the attack, adding: “Such violence has no place on our streets.”

This is breaking news… More to come.