A man armed with a sword has allegedly attacked several people in north-east London, leaving five injured, including two police officers.
The Metropolitan police said the man had been arrested after they were called “to reports of a vehicle being driven into a house” in Thurlow Gardens, near Hainault underground station shortly before 7am on Tuesday.
The man is believed to have then stabbed other people in and around the tube station.
The Guardian understands that police were investigating whether the suspect had a history of mental ill-health, and that at this early stage, that was a key line of inquiry as to any motive.
After an assessment by specialist officers, the Met has said it does not believe the incident is terrorism-related.
Police believe the man was acting alone and aged 36.
London ambulance service said five people had been taken to hospital. It is believed one was a teenage child. Details were not available about how seriously they had been wounded
Mobile phone footage of the incident showed a casually dressed man with a long knife, consistent with a sword.
London fire brigade said it had helped paramedics deal with the wounded.
Thurlow Gardens, where the incident is believed to have started, is close to Hainault underground station. The incident happened during morning rush-hour and the station has been closed.
In a statement, the Met said: “Police and other emergency services are in Hainault, east London, at a serious incident in which a man with a sword has been arrested.
“We were called shortly before 7am to reports of a vehicle being driven into a house in the Thurlow Gardens area. There were reports people have been stabbed.
“At this time we understand the suspect went on to attack other members of the public and two police officers. We are awaiting an update on the condition of those injured. A 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene and he is in custody.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “This must have been a terrifying incident for those concerned. I know the wider community will be feeling shock and alarm. People will want to know what has happened and will we provide more information as soon as we can.
“We do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the wider community. We are not looking for more suspects. This incident does not appear to be terror-related.”
A witness to the incident said he heard shrieking before seeing a man dressed in yellow jumping over some fences at about 7am.
The witness said: “I heard shouting, I heard shrieking – I thought ‘who would be shrieking at this time in the morning?’ The shrieking sounded like the police – you know when they are ordering someone to stop or to get on their knees or something – it was like that. It was like ‘stop where you are, put that down, put that down’ – that kind of thing.
“I looked out the back window because the noise was coming from back there, I saw a bloke dressed in yellow jumping over some fences … then he went down an alley like he was going back onto the street again.
“I saw a policeman and policewoman – normal coppers with the short-sleeved shirts – who chased after him and they were shouting for him to put it down.”
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am absolutely devastated by the news from Hainault this morning. I remain in constant contact with the commissioner. A man has been arrested and the area secured. The police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. There will be additional reassurance patrols in the area.
“The police officers and emergency services showed the best of our city – running towards danger to protect others and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.
“I would urge people not to speculate until the details of this incident are confirmed by the police and avoid posting footage on social media. If you have any information at all, please contact the police urgently on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111. There is no honour in staying silent.
“Those affected in the local area, including witnesses, can also call victim support on 0808 1689 111.”
The home secretary, James Cleverly, said he was being updated about the incident.
He said: “I am being regularly updated about the incident at Hainault station this morning My thoughts are with those who have been affected and thank you to the emergency responders I would urge people not to speculate or share footage online and provide relevant information to the police.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Wes Streeing MP, the shadow health secretary and MP for Ilford North, said a “critical incident” had been declared.
He said the emergency services were responding and one male had been detained.
Transport for London’s website confirmed Hainault tube station was closed “due to a police investigation in the area”.
In a post on X, Streeting wrote: “A critical incident has been declared in Hainault. There are station and road closures in place. The police, ambulance service and fire brigade are responding. One male detained.”
The Met wrote on X: “Police are at an incident in the Hainault area. Please follow the instructions of police officers on the ground. A man has been arrested.”