Four people have been taken to a major trauma centre after a stabbing near Covent Garden in central London, and a woman has been arrested in connection with the incident.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that three people were stabbed in the attack. Four people were reported to have been rushed to hospital, and the emergency response included an air ambulance that landed on Trafalgar Square.
Officers were called to the busy West End area after reports of a serious assault. A large police presence was reported around Covent Garden, with emergency services working at the scene after the attack.
Initial accounts suggested that four people had been stabbed, but police later said that three people had suffered stab wounds. Four people were taken to hospital, although no details about their conditions have been released.
A woman was arrested by officers investigating the incident. No further details about the arrest have been released, and the authorities have not yet said what led to the attack.
The incident happened near Covent Garden, the historic district in London's West End. The area is known for its covered market, independent shops, restaurants and theatres, and it is one of the most visited parts of the capital. It is also a centre for theatre, with the Royal Opera House and many West End playhouses in the immediate area. Its narrow streets and public squares are often busy with street performers, shoppers and tourists.
The victims were taken to a major trauma centre, a specialist hospital unit designed to treat the most serious and complex injuries. Stabbing victims often require urgent surgery, and trauma centres have surgical teams and equipment available around the clock to deal with life-threatening wounds. A major trauma centre provides immediate access to specialist clinicians and operating theatres, which can be crucial for patients with severe injuries.
The air ambulance landing on Trafalgar Square was part of the emergency response. The square is a major public landmark only a short distance from Covent Garden, and the helicopter's presence there underlined the seriousness of the incident. Air ambulances are typically deployed when seriously injured patients need advanced medical care at the scene or rapid transport to a specialist hospital.
The incident caused a visible emergency services presence in one of London's most prominent shopping and entertainment areas. Police activity continued in the area as officers worked to establish the circumstances of the attack.
This is a developing story, and further information is expected as the investigation continues.
