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Russell Square stabbings: Man arrested on suspicion of murder Russell Square stabbings: Man arrested on suspicion of murder
(35 minutes later)
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a US citizen was killed and five other people were injured in a knife attack in central London.A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a US citizen was killed and five other people were injured in a knife attack in central London.
Police believe the attack in Russell Square on Wednesday was "spontaneous", with victims "selected at random".Police believe the attack in Russell Square on Wednesday was "spontaneous", with victims "selected at random".
The woman who died was thought to be in her 60s. The injured people were from Britain, America, Israel and Australia.The woman who died was thought to be in her 60s. The injured people were from Britain, America, Israel and Australia.
Police arrested a 19-year-old Norwegian national of Somali origin. They say there is no evidence of radicalisation.Police arrested a 19-year-old Norwegian national of Somali origin. They say there is no evidence of radicalisation.
The Met Police's assistant commissioner for specialist operations, Mark Rowley, said the investigation "increasingly points" to the attack being "triggered by mental health issues". The Met Police's assistant commissioner for specialist operations, Mark Rowley, said the investigation was increasingly pointing to the attack being "triggered by mental health issues".
Mr Rowley had earlier said the force was considering terrorism as "one line of inquiry for us to explore". He had earlier said the force was considering terrorism as a line of inquiry.
He told a press conference it had been necessary to "consider all of possibilities" following recent terror attacks across Europe. Mr Rowley, Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer, told a press conference it had been necessary to consider "all possibilities" following recent terror attacks across Europe.
Mr Rowley, Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer, added that an address had been searched by officers in north London on Thursday morning and another will be searched in south London. Police said the man was arrested after a Taser was discharged by an officer.
The man was arrested after a Taser was discharged by an officer. Two other women and three men received various injuries in the attack, which happened near the Imperial Hotel at about 22:30 BST.
Scotland Yard said two other women and three men received various injuries in the attack, which happened near the Imperial Hotel.
Two from the group remain in hospital while the other three have since been discharged. None have life-threatening injuries.Two from the group remain in hospital while the other three have since been discharged. None have life-threatening injuries.
The US ambassador to the UK, Matthew Barzun, said of the woman who died: "Heartbreaking news that a U.S. citizen was killed in #RussellSquare attack. My prayers are with all the victims and their loved ones."
After receiving treatment in hospital, the arrested man, who was detained in Bedford Place, is now in police custody in south London.After receiving treatment in hospital, the arrested man, who was detained in Bedford Place, is now in police custody in south London.
Mr Rowley earlier said the force's homicide command was leading the investigation into the attack, with support from the counter-terrorism unit. Norwegian police said in a statement the man had emigrated from Norway in 2002 and they were assisting London police.
Norwegian police said in a statement that the man had emigrated from Norway in 2002 and they were assisting London police. The Met said an address had been searched by officers in north London on Thursday morning and another will be searched in south London.
Jodie Parry, who witnessed the events unfold from her hotel window, said she saw a man running down the street.Jodie Parry, who witnessed the events unfold from her hotel window, said she saw a man running down the street.
"I could hear the policeman screaming 'stop, don't move, don't go any further, just stay where you are', and he turned round and continued running," she said."I could hear the policeman screaming 'stop, don't move, don't go any further, just stay where you are', and he turned round and continued running," she said.
She added that the man was carrying a knife and had blood on his hands.She added that the man was carrying a knife and had blood on his hands.
Paul Ó Geibheannaigh, who lives near to the square, said he had seen the body of the woman "on the pavement" and the area was surrounded by a "heavy armed police presence".Paul Ó Geibheannaigh, who lives near to the square, said he had seen the body of the woman "on the pavement" and the area was surrounded by a "heavy armed police presence".
Mr Rowley said there would be an increased police presence on the streets of London in the wake of the attack - including armed officers - to "provide reassurance and safety".Mr Rowley said there would be an increased police presence on the streets of London in the wake of the attack - including armed officers - to "provide reassurance and safety".
Met commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said the force's "swift response undoubtedly helped to prevent more people from getting injured".Met commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said the force's "swift response undoubtedly helped to prevent more people from getting injured".
The Met said the attack was not linked to a separate stabbing in Wandsworth, south-west London, on Wednesday, in which one man was killed and two others injured.The Met said the attack was not linked to a separate stabbing in Wandsworth, south-west London, on Wednesday, in which one man was killed and two others injured.
Following the attack London Mayor Sadiq Khan cut short his holiday and will hold a briefing at City Hall at 15:30 BST. Following the attack, London Mayor Sadiq Khan cut short his holiday and will hold a briefing at City Hall at 15:30 BST.
He said police were doing an "incredibly difficult job" and the safety of Londoners was his "number one priority".He said police were doing an "incredibly difficult job" and the safety of Londoners was his "number one priority".
At the sceneAt the scene
By Emma Atkinson, BBC NewsBy Emma Atkinson, BBC News
Walking around the park at Russell Square, a busy area for tourists with two hotels, cafes and a few souvenir shops, it almost feels like just another normal week day. Earlier, a few dog walkers and commuters were buying their first coffee of the day. Russell Square is bustling with local workers and tourists exploring the area. It's hard to believe that just a few hours ago it was an active crime scene.
But just a few metres away along Southampton Row, a different story has been unfolding. Along Southampton Row, police tape had cordoned off a wide section of road, and a white and yellow forensics tent marked the point where the fatal stabbing took place.
Earlier, police tape cordoned off a wide section of road, and a white and yellow tent marked the point where one of the stabbings took place. Now the pavement has been scrubbed clean and officers have gathered up the discarded first aid bags left scattered on the roadside by the emergency teams.
Two small bunches of flowers have been left along the park railings. While a few TV cameras remain, the street is beginning to look like normal again, with only a small but growing number of floral have been left along the park railings.
The forensic tent has now been cleared away and the pavement scrubbed clean, as officers gather the remnants of a few first aid bags that were left scattered on the pavement from the emergency teams.
The area along Southampton Row is now being released from the police cordon, and the blue and white tape is being taken down.
Officers in high visibility vests are still gathered, and a few TV cameras remain, but the street is beginning to look like normal again.
Shyam Sanghani, who runs Imperial News and Gifts opposite the scene of the attack, said: "It's scary.Shyam Sanghani, who runs Imperial News and Gifts opposite the scene of the attack, said: "It's scary.
"We had the Russell Square bombing just close by and now this. We've been here a long time and to have two incidents is awful. This is our home.""We had the Russell Square bombing just close by and now this. We've been here a long time and to have two incidents is awful. This is our home."
Emma and Mark Pigdon, from County Durham, who were staying in the President hotel, had been to the theatre when they came back and saw a woman lying in the street.Emma and Mark Pigdon, from County Durham, who were staying in the President hotel, had been to the theatre when they came back and saw a woman lying in the street.
Mrs Pigdon said: "She was a small lady, really slight, which made me think she was a teenager. We were shocked when we later heard she was in her 60s.Mrs Pigdon said: "She was a small lady, really slight, which made me think she was a teenager. We were shocked when we later heard she was in her 60s.
"She had what looked like a pattern on her clothes but I think it was blood.""She had what looked like a pattern on her clothes but I think it was blood."
More from the scene
Earlier on Wednesday, Sir Bernard and Mr Khan had said that there would be more armed police seen on patrol in London.Earlier on Wednesday, Sir Bernard and Mr Khan had said that there would be more armed police seen on patrol in London.
Sir Bernard announced the move to reassure the public and deter attackers following terror attacks in Europe.Sir Bernard announced the move to reassure the public and deter attackers following terror attacks in Europe.
Were you in the area? Did you witness the attack? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Were you in the area? Did you witness the attack? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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