A 47-year-old woman has been arrested after four men were stabbed in Covent Garden, central London, during a lunchtime incident on Endell Street. The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the street and found the men, aged 34, 39, 42 and 52, with stab wounds.
The woman was detained at the scene on suspicion of assault and possession of an offensive weapon. Police have not named her, and it is not yet clear whether she has been charged. The four men were taken to a major trauma centre for treatment, and the latest update from the force said two of them remained in hospital.
A major trauma centre is a specialist hospital unit for patients with the most serious injuries. Officers responding to the incident found all four men with stab wounds and arranged for them to be taken to hospital as a priority. The hospital unit is equipped to deal with severe injuries, and the victims were given urgent medical attention. Two of the men were still receiving treatment, according to the most recent information released by police.
Endell Street runs through Covent Garden, a central London district known for its covered market, theatres, restaurants and shops. It is one of the capital's most popular destinations for both domestic and overseas visitors and is close to well-known cultural venues, including the Royal Opera House. The attack took place at lunchtime, when the area would normally be crowded with people.
The woman was arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of an offensive weapon, meaning officers believe a weapon may have been involved in the incident. Police have not said what led to the attack, and no motive has been given. It is also not known whether the woman and the injured men were acquainted with one another.
Under English law, the police can arrest a person on reasonable suspicion that they have committed an offence. The decision on whether to charge the woman will rest with the Crown Prosecution Service after police complete their inquiries. The investigation remains at an early stage, and further updates are likely to be issued by the Metropolitan Police as officers continue their work.
Police have not confirmed the type of weapon involved, even though the arrest was made partly on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon. They have also not indicated whether the attack was targeted or random. No such assessment has been made public.
