Horror as sword-wielding suspect goes on rampage: Two police officers and passerby attacked after car driven into home in Hainault – as man, 36, is arrested
A man has been arrested after three people were attacked with a sword in a ‘terrifying’ rampage this morning.
Two police officers and a member of the public were injured after reports that a car crashed into a house in Hainault, east London, just after 7am on Tuesday.
Footage posted on social media appears to show a sword-wielding knifeman wearing a yellow hoodie being approached by officers.
The Metropolitan Police later confirmed that a 36-year-old man had been arrested.
They are not looking for any more suspects in connection with the ordeal and that the attack “does not appear to be terror related.”
Locals told MailOnline how they woke up to sounds of ‘piercing screams’ and a man ‘covered in blood’ outside their homes in the Thurlow Gardens area.
A man ‘wielding a machete’ was seen ‘prowling the streets of east London’
Emergency services outside the Hainaut metro station this morning
Police cars spotted on a road near the Hainaut metro station
Several police cars and fire engines were spotted outside the station in east London
Daniel Garfinkle, who lives outside the station, said: ‘I woke up at 7am to a lot of shouting.
‘There was a man covered in blood outside, near the station and outside my house.
‘The police tried to calm the man who committed the stabbing.
‘But he went towards the station. He kept shouting.’
Another local said: ‘There was at least one man lying in a pool of blood.
‘It was horrible. There were terrible screams that woke me up. Piercing screams.
“People said it was with a machete.”
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: ‘Police and other emergency services are responding to a serious incident in Hainaut, east London, in which a man with a sword has been arrested.
‘We were called shortly before 7am to reports that a vehicle had crashed into a house in the Thurlow Gardens area. There were reports that people had been stabbed.
“At this time, we understand that the suspect attacked other civilians and two police officers.
“We are waiting for an update on the condition of the injured.
‘A 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene and is in custody.’
Police officers gather outside East London Tube station in response to a ‘serious incident’
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan added: “This must have been a terrifying incident for those involved.
‘I know the wider community will be shocked and worried.
‘People will want to know what happened and we will provide more information as soon as possible.’
People were seen gathering on the road outside Hainaut metro station and a helicopter circled overhead.
Redbridge Borough Police also confirmed on X that they responded to an incident in the Hainaut region.
They advised people to follow police instructions and that a man had been arrested.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: ‘Firefighters were mobilized to assist police and colleagues from the London Ambulance Service at an incident near Hainaut Tube Station.
People were seen gathering on the road outside Hainaut metro station and a helicopter circled overhead
Redbridge Borough Police confirmed to X that they responded to an incident in the Hainaut region
‘Crews supported London Ambulance Service crews in providing immediate emergency care.
‘The brigade was called at 7.35am and by 9.24am the incident was over for the firefighters.
‘Firefighters from Dagenham, Walthamstow, Ilford, Romford, Hainault, East Ham and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.’
MP Wes Streeting wrote on X: ‘A critical incident has been reported in Hainaut. There are station and road closures.
‘Police, ambulance service and fire brigade take action. One man arrested.
‘I would urge people not to speculate or post images on social media until details are confirmed.’
He added: “I am in contact with the Met Police, the Mayor of London and Redbridge Council.
‘I will keep local residents informed where and when I can.’
This is a breaking news story – more to come