13-year-old boy dies in London attack, police arrest ‘sword-wielding’ man

LONDON: A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a east London suburb early Tuesday, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring four others, authorities said.

A 36-year-old man was arrested in a residential area near Hainault underground station, police said. The incident is not being treated as terror-related or a “targeted attack.”

Two police officers were in hospital being treated for stab wounds. Two other people were also injured.

The force said it was called just before 7:00 am (0600 GMT) after a vehicle drove into a house and reports that “people have been stabbed”.

“At this time we understand the suspect went on to attack other members of the public and two police officers,” a statement read.

“We are awaiting an update on the condition of those injured.”

London Ambulance Service said its teams treated five people and took them all to hospital. There was no immediate word on their condition.

The Met, which polices an area of 620 square miles (1,605 square kilometres) of Greater London, said a 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said, “This incident does not appear to be terror-related.”

Video footage and photographs posted on social media appeared to show a man on the streets near houses with what looked to be a Samurai-type sword.