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Version 13 Version 14
Russell Square stabbings: suspect in custody after hospital treatment – live London stabbing: Suspect is Norwegian Somali with 'no evidence' of terror – live
(35 minutes later)
11.54am BST
11:54
Rowley said none of the people in hospital have life-threatening injuries.
11.52am BST
11:52
Suspect was Norwegian national
Rowley says the suspect was a Norwegian national of Somali origin. There is no evidence he was radicalised.
At this point we believe this is a spontaneous attack and the victims were selected at random.
Police believe it was as a result of mental health problems, based on interviews with the suspect and his family.
11.50am BST
11:50
Murdered woman was US citizen
The Metropolitan police assistant commissioner, Mark Rowley, is speaking outside Scotland Yard.
He says the murdered woman was from the US and the injured are British, American, Australian and Israeli.
Updated
at 11.55am BST
11.30am BST
11:30
A woman who witnessed the aftermath of the Russell Square stabbings has told the BBC how she saw a man running away from police, carrying a knife with blood on his hands. Jodie Parry was in her hotel room when she heard a commotion.
As he was running down the street he was turning to see if the police were coming close. I could hear the policeman screaming ‘stop, don’t move, don’t go any further, just stay where you are’ and he turned around and continued running. He just wasn’t prepared to stop ...He was actually carrying a knife in his hand and he had blood on his hands.
Parry said the attacker was out of her sight when he was restrained by police.
They had actually gone out of my vision at that point, but I did hear the Taser, and at that point I just heard a little scream and then it kind of went silent.
11.21am BST11.21am BST
11:2111:21
The BBC has brief footage of the suspect in the Russell Square attacks being arrested:The BBC has brief footage of the suspect in the Russell Square attacks being arrested:
BBC EXCLUSIVE: Eyewitness footage of Russell Square incident: pic.twitter.com/ii1muJUUh6BBC EXCLUSIVE: Eyewitness footage of Russell Square incident: pic.twitter.com/ii1muJUUh6
11.18am BST11.18am BST
11:1811:18
The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, making a scheduled speech in Dagenham, east London, has begun by expressing sympathy to the woman who was killed and thanking the police for their response.The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, making a scheduled speech in Dagenham, east London, has begun by expressing sympathy to the woman who was killed and thanking the police for their response.
Jeremy Corbyn offers his condolences for the victim of the Russell Square attack pic.twitter.com/CKONmwM8MDJeremy Corbyn offers his condolences for the victim of the Russell Square attack pic.twitter.com/CKONmwM8MD
11.13am BST11.13am BST
11:1311:13
The forensics tent at the spot where the woman was killed in Russell Square has been taken down.The forensics tent at the spot where the woman was killed in Russell Square has been taken down.
Taking down the forensics tent. Police say they want to get things back to normal as quickly as poss #Russellsquare pic.twitter.com/ixPSA15BgaTaking down the forensics tent. Police say they want to get things back to normal as quickly as poss #Russellsquare pic.twitter.com/ixPSA15Bga
11.04am BST11.04am BST
11:0411:04
The Met Police commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe, has confirmed that mental health remains a “substantial focus for our investigation”. He has said his thoughts are with those affected and praised the police response as “professional and proportionate”.The Met Police commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe, has confirmed that mental health remains a “substantial focus for our investigation”. He has said his thoughts are with those affected and praised the police response as “professional and proportionate”.
My thoughts are with the family of the woman who was murdered and those who were injured. A normal night out in our busy capital has ended in horrific circumstances.My thoughts are with the family of the woman who was murdered and those who were injured. A normal night out in our busy capital has ended in horrific circumstances.
Our investigation is moving very quickly and our detectives have been working hard throughout the night. As we have already made clear, mental health remains a substantial focus for our investigation.Our investigation is moving very quickly and our detectives have been working hard throughout the night. As we have already made clear, mental health remains a substantial focus for our investigation.
Every day in London, my officers patrol and carry out operations to catch criminals in the knowledge that they face risk and danger. I am proud that last night our specialist firearms officers were on the scene in six minutes and, using only a Taser, detained the subject. That demonstrates our commitment to use force in a professional and proportionate way.Every day in London, my officers patrol and carry out operations to catch criminals in the knowledge that they face risk and danger. I am proud that last night our specialist firearms officers were on the scene in six minutes and, using only a Taser, detained the subject. That demonstrates our commitment to use force in a professional and proportionate way.
Their swift response undoubtedly helped to prevent more people from getting injured.Their swift response undoubtedly helped to prevent more people from getting injured.
Across our capital today you will see more police officers, armed and unarmed, to reassure the public after recent events overseas. We will protect our capital and those who live, work and visit our city.Across our capital today you will see more police officers, armed and unarmed, to reassure the public after recent events overseas. We will protect our capital and those who live, work and visit our city.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.06am BSTat 11.06am BST
10.58am BST10.58am BST
10:5810:58
Denis CampbellDenis Campbell
Mental illness is a significant part of what Metropolitan Police officers deal with every day and they get 600,000 calls about it a year. They are called to far more incidents involving mental health problems than robbery or sexual offences, a report by the mental health charity Turning Point found in 2013.Mental illness is a significant part of what Metropolitan Police officers deal with every day and they get 600,000 calls about it a year. They are called to far more incidents involving mental health problems than robbery or sexual offences, a report by the mental health charity Turning Point found in 2013.
On pages 11/12 the report states that:On pages 11/12 the report states that:
In 2012 there were 61,258 mental health related calls; this is 21,741 more than robbery and 47,203 more than for sexual offences. The Metropolitan Police Service review also stated that it has been estimated that 15% to 25% of incidents are linked to mental health. Using this estimate the daily contact rises to a minimum of 1,626 calls per day -- the equivalent of around 600,000 calls per year.In 2012 there were 61,258 mental health related calls; this is 21,741 more than robbery and 47,203 more than for sexual offences. The Metropolitan Police Service review also stated that it has been estimated that 15% to 25% of incidents are linked to mental health. Using this estimate the daily contact rises to a minimum of 1,626 calls per day -- the equivalent of around 600,000 calls per year.
10.53am BST10.53am BST
10:5310:53
Ellie Cattle, 21, who is staying in a hotel on Bedford Place, off Russell Square, told the Press Association she heard police shouting: “Put it down, put it down.”Ellie Cattle, 21, who is staying in a hotel on Bedford Place, off Russell Square, told the Press Association she heard police shouting: “Put it down, put it down.”
I looked out of my window because I heard sirens. I could see police - three police vans - coming down the road, and all I heard was them shouting ‘Put it down, put it down’.I looked out of my window because I heard sirens. I could see police - three police vans - coming down the road, and all I heard was them shouting ‘Put it down, put it down’.
They sounded urgent for him to put it down. Then I heard what sounded like a gunshot, but it must have been the Taser. After that they just stopped shouting. I didn’t hear any screams from anyone.They sounded urgent for him to put it down. Then I heard what sounded like a gunshot, but it must have been the Taser. After that they just stopped shouting. I didn’t hear any screams from anyone.
10.47am BST10.47am BST
10:4710:47
Lisa O'CarrollLisa O'Carroll
Alex Hall, 18, (on the right in video) said he and his friends came out of a restaurant in Russell Square and saw police trying to resuscitate a woman.Alex Hall, 18, (on the right in video) said he and his friends came out of a restaurant in Russell Square and saw police trying to resuscitate a woman.
We were walking along and we saw three police cars and an ambulance. They were doing CPR on a woman lying on the ground. We thought it must have been someone having a heart attack. The police were shouting at people to get back.We were walking along and we saw three police cars and an ambulance. They were doing CPR on a woman lying on the ground. We thought it must have been someone having a heart attack. The police were shouting at people to get back.
The others in the video are Reuben St Ledger, 18, (middle) and George Baker, 18. All are from Sheffield.The others in the video are Reuben St Ledger, 18, (middle) and George Baker, 18. All are from Sheffield.
St Ledger said they had seen the Metropolitan Police announcement that there would be an increased armed police presence in London before they visited and were not deterred.St Ledger said they had seen the Metropolitan Police announcement that there would be an increased armed police presence in London before they visited and were not deterred.
10.30am BST
10:30
Lisa O'Carroll
Spanish tourists Anna Calderon (right) and Laura Gomez (centre) said they saw one of the victims, a blonde woman in her 20s or 30s, running northwards up Southampton Row. Gomez said:
We saw a woman with her hand holding her side. She was running and shouting ‘I need a hospital. I need a hospital.’ A man who looked like he was in his 60s and a woman stopped a taxi and helped her. We had just said goodbye to a friend who lives here in London and we saw this.
We didn’t understand what was going on because there was no blood. It was about 10.35pm.
Calderon said:
When we got to the hotel we heard the sound of ambulances. But we didn’t know anything until we saw what had happened this morning on the TV.
The women, from Madrid, said the attack did not deter them from coming to London.
Calderon said:
Scared? No, because I think it is an incident that could happen anywhere and we live in Madrid and we had the terrorist attack on the train so we know what the risks are.
10.26am BST
10:26
Damien Gayle
There are three vans full of police outside Marylebone station. They don’t seem to be doing anything, just sitting there. One told me:
It’s because of what happened last night. We’re not expecting anything bad to happen, these are literally just reassurance patrols.
Asked if they were waiting to go out on patrol or whether they were just going to sit in the van, he answered: “Just waiting for now.”
10.18am BST
10:18
Nadia Khomami
The two hotels that overlook the street where the incident occurred, the Imperial and the President, do not have CCTV cameras that face onto the square. A porter at the imperial said their CCTV cameras look inwards and they have informed police.
One guest at the President, Michel Godbout, who has been visiting London from Canada, said:
About 10.30pm, I was in my room and I heard a woman screaming - a couple of times in one minute, then I didn’t hear anything. I was almost asleep, I heard police after that but didn’t look out the window. My view is blocked by trees. I only found out what happened this morning when I turned on the TV, if I had known I would have gone out to help or something.
10.17am BST
10:17
Denis Campbell
Responding to the police’s statement that mental illness was a factor in the stabbings, Professor Sir Simon Wessely, the leading psychiatrist and president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said that killings by people with psychiatric problems had been falling for the last 30 years.
But, Wessely added, much more needs to be done to help “alienated, disturbed, troubled” adolescents and young people with mental health problems, some of whom are at risk of committing violence. However, he cautioned against any attempt to increase the number of people detained due to psychiatric problems. He said:
We should be very careful about looking for new compulsory powers to lock people up. We already have a very carefully thought-through Mental Health Act, which allows certain people to be detained and compulsorily treatment, in certain circumstances, for mental illness. But neither radicalism nor terrorism is a mental health diagnosis or disorder under the meaning of the Act.
We should be improving services for alienated and mentally troubled adolescents and young people, to help their mental health. But we should be careful not to do things that will increase their alienation, which can then make them more not less vulnerable to radical influences.
He added that these are people who are hard to reach and that mental health services for young people were “woefully underfunded”.
The leader of Britain’s psychiatrists said that he was talking about “extremely alienated adolescents and young adults, who do have an increased prevalence of mental health problems. Some have psychosis, or forms of autism, or depression or complex relationship difficulties. But all of those are quite common anyway.”
The link between mental illness and violence is an extremely sensitive subject.
We know that some people, so called ‘lone actors’, do commit awful crimes, for example in school killings in America and the killings in Norway. There’s a link with mental illness, that’s true. Looking back at the history of people who have committed offences like this does show increased risk [that the assailant had psychiatric problems], that’s true. These offences are quite rare, thank God. But there is definitely an increased risk.
10.06am BST
10:06
Nadia Khomami
Fernando, a Brazilian Londoner, who works nearby, said he was cycling home through Russell Square last night when a Spanish family asked him to stop and call the police and ambulance because a lady had collapsed.
There were three people stabbed. The older woman was slumping against the gates, and it was another two people. One of the Spanish family was comforting the older woman.
I thought they were friends, but then I realised that they were just passing. No-one knew each other.
He said the two injured people were a man aged around 40 to 50 and a lady aged around 30.
When the police arrived a few minutes later, he realised the lady had not collapsed, she had been stabbed in the back and had been bleeding.
The Spanish family - a mother father and two daughters - told Fernando that a young man ran past in black shorts and a white T-shirt hiding his face with his arm and just began stabbing people with his right hand. It was a very random and quick attack.
The moment the police arrived, they asked them if the man had been shouting.
They said that he didn’t say anything. They said that when he stabbed the people he didn’t shout or scream anything.
The family believed the attacker he was on his own.
9.38am BST
09:38
There are a number of hotels in and around Russell Square and the Evening Standard has spoken to some of their staff about what they heard or saw.
Manuel Simo, 32, a supervisor at the Royal National hotel in Bedford Way, said:
At first, people were confused and thought it was a traffic accident.
When they realised what was happening people were screaming and running away from a guy who was holding a knife.
Apparently he was just stabbing people randomly – it’s horrible. People ran away in the direction of the British Museum.
People are scared to go out in the street. They don’t want to go to the shop to buy water or food. It’s very sad.
A night porter at the Grange Clarendon hotel told the Standard
I could see four police officers restraining him, holding him face-down on the floor.
He wasn’t struggling I think he knew it was over. One police officer was about to get his handcuffs on him and was speaking into his ear.
Others were searching the street for something he threw.
9.27am BST
09:27
Jamie Grierson
Scotland Yard has removed any reference to terrorism in its latest update in what is a small but potentially significant change.
In the original release assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said:
Early indications suggest mental health is a significant factor in this case and that is one major line of inquiry. But of course at this stage we should keep an open mind regarding motive and consequently terrorism as a motivation remains but one line of inquiry for us to explore.
In the most recent update, Rowley says:
Early indications suggest that mental health was a factor in this horrific attack. However we are keeping an open mind regarding the motive.
The change suggests Scotland Yard are more confident that mental health was the driving factor behind the attack.
9.10am BST
09:10
The Met Police have also released some more details of their response to the incident:
Police received the first call just after 10.30pm reporting a man armed with a knife was assaulting people at Russell Square, Camden.
Numerous other calls were made by members of the public between 10.30pm and 11pm with reports of a man attacking people with a knife between Russell Square, Montague Street, Bloomsbury Square and Great Russell Street.
Armed officers attended the scene within approximately five minutes of receiving the first call.
9.03am BST
09:03
Suspect out of hospital
The 19-year-old suspect has been discharged from hospital - he was Tasered during the incident -and is now in custody at a south London police station, the Met police have said.
He has also been formally arrested on suspicion of murder.
A Met police spokesman said:
We continue to focus our lines of inquiry on mental health while retaining an open mind regarding the motive.
8.51am BST
08:51
Damien Gayle
These two police officers carrying semi-automatic carbines were keeping guard outside the National Gallery, in Trafalgar Square, in central London.
“We deal with everything from having strong words with someone to lethal force,” one said.
There will be many armed police around central London, they said. Policing will focus on crowded areas with a lot of footfall where an attacker could do most damage.
Aside from the guns strapped to their chest, both officers also carried Glock pistols, Taser stun guns, CS spray and batons.
Updated
at 9.18am BST