Four men were injured in a stabbing incident in London's Covent Garden on Wednesday afternoon, with a 47-year-old woman subsequently arrested by police. The Metropolitan Police responded to reports of a stabbing on Endell Street at approximately 12:30 p.m. Four men, aged between 34 and 52, were found with stab wounds and were transported to a major trauma center.
New CCTV footage shows the alleged attacker, dressed in brown trousers, a white top, and a navy blue cardigan, walking away from the scene on Endell Street shortly after the incident, which occurred around 12:27 p.m. The footage shows her passing members of the public, some of whom were dining at a restaurant.
A pair of scissors was recovered from the scene. The arrested woman was taken into custody on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and assault. Police stated that the incident is believed to be mental health-related.
Witnesses described the events as sudden and random. One local barber reported that a blood-covered man stumbled into his salon seeking help. Another witness, Arjan Gjorga, owner of the Rock and Sole Plaice restaurant, stated he recognized the woman as a homeless individual who frequents the area. He observed people running away and saw the woman begin stabbing individuals before police arrived within minutes.
Carlos, a resident of a local homeless hostel, claimed to know the suspect, identifying her as Romanian and suggesting she had used drugs prior to the attack.
Later on Wednesday, Scotland Yard confirmed that two of the victims sustained injuries not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing, while the other two have been discharged from the hospital. An air ambulance helicopter was observed landing in nearby Trafalgar Square. Police have maintained a cordon in the area of Endell Street and surrounding parts of Covent Garden.