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London stabbings: mental health ‘significant factor’ in Russell Square attack, say police – live London stabbings: mental health ‘significant factor’ in Russell Square attack, say police – live
(35 minutes later)
8.27am BST
08:27
A number of the cordons around the scene of the attack have now been lifted:
Detectives continue to investigate incident in #RussellSquare most cordons have now been lifted. One partial road closure remains in place
8.25am BST
08:25
The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has expressed his shock at last night’s events.
Shocking attack in London last night. Thoughts are with family and friends of the victims
8.23am BST
08:23
Are you affected by the events in Russell Square? You can share your eyewitness accounts, photos and videos or news tips direct with our journalists by clicking on the blue button. You can also share your stories, photos and videos with the Guardian via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44(0)7867825056.
8.20am BST
08:20
Three people discharged from hospital
Three of the people injured in the attack have been discharged from hospital. Two remain in hospital.
Two people who were injured in the #RussellSquare incident remain in hospital. Three others have been discharged. Further update to follow
8.17am BST
08:17
The Metropolitan police have put out a renewed call for witnesses:
We continue to appeal for witnesses following the incident in #RussellSquare anyone with any info is asked to contact 020 8721 4868
8.04am BST
08:04
Lisa O'Carroll
Pol O’ Geibheannaigh told Sky News:
I was approaching the [Night and Day] bar coming back from the cinema about 11.15pm. Close to the corner of Russell Square, the first thing I saw was an armed policeman and I looked down the street and it was just wall to wall police and police vans. Then about 100m from the corner of the square there was a body covered in a red blanket with dark matter around it which I assumed to be blood and more police arrived more police, no ambulances. At the time it was intense, really intense.
There was no ambulance there. I counted the vans, there were 20 to 30 vans. I was looking for the ambulance, there was no ambulance.
Then I found out from the bar staff that a woman had been fatally wounded. Then when police came into the bar to interview people, they said a woman had been wounded. There were others they were taking off up to Bedford Square.
He said the incident brought memories of 7/7 flooding back - as the bus that had been blown up in that terrorist attack had been just up the road.
7.43am BST7.43am BST
07:4307:43
John McDonnell, Labour’s shadow chancellor, has been speaking to Sky News.John McDonnell, Labour’s shadow chancellor, has been speaking to Sky News.
He says he supports the increased police presence on the streets of London.He says he supports the increased police presence on the streets of London.
The Met has said that more officers, including armed officers, will patrol the capital today.The Met has said that more officers, including armed officers, will patrol the capital today.
7.36am BST7.36am BST
07:3607:36
Nadia KhomamiNadia Khomami
Russell Square remains cordoned off by police this morning.Russell Square remains cordoned off by police this morning.
Phillipa Bagley is visiting London and was staying at the President hotel last night:Phillipa Bagley is visiting London and was staying at the President hotel last night:
The bar of the President comes out on to the square. I just came down for a cigarette and saw there was a man with a motorbike helmet balanced on his head walking up and down, then the police came.The bar of the President comes out on to the square. I just came down for a cigarette and saw there was a man with a motorbike helmet balanced on his head walking up and down, then the police came.
There was about six or seven people standing around. I thought there had been an accident, I had no idea anyone had been stabbed. I found out this morning. I was shocked.There was about six or seven people standing around. I thought there had been an accident, I had no idea anyone had been stabbed. I found out this morning. I was shocked.
We just came to London for a couple of days for my birthday. I didn’t think about anything like this, I’m not a great worrier. On second thoughts, in the future …We just came to London for a couple of days for my birthday. I didn’t think about anything like this, I’m not a great worrier. On second thoughts, in the future …
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.38am BSTat 7.38am BST
7.07am BST7.07am BST
07:0707:07
What we know so farWhat we know so far
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
Early indications suggest mental health is a significant factor in this case and that is one major line of inquiry.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.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.
6.57am BST6.57am BST
06:5706:57
Sadiq Khan: 'remain calm and vigilant'Sadiq Khan: 'remain calm and vigilant'
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, says police are doing an “incredibly difficult job” and the safety of Londoners is his “number one priority”.The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, says police are doing an “incredibly difficult job” and the safety of Londoners is his “number one priority”.
He says police officers have spoken to the suspect, who was arrested at the scene and is in hospital.He says police officers have spoken to the suspect, who was arrested at the scene and is in hospital.
I have spoken with the commissioner, and the assistant commissioner, who have assured me that our police officers are working extremely hard to investigate exactly what has happened and to keep the rest of us safe.I have spoken with the commissioner, and the assistant commissioner, who have assured me that our police officers are working extremely hard to investigate exactly what has happened and to keep the rest of us safe.
A man was arrested at the scene. Police have spoken to him and are seeking to establish the full facts including motives for this attack.A man was arrested at the scene. Police have spoken to him and are seeking to establish the full facts including motives for this attack.
I urge all Londoners to remain calm and vigilant. Please report anything suspicious to the police. We all have a vital role to play as eyes and ears for our police and security services and in helping to ensure London is protected.I urge all Londoners to remain calm and vigilant. Please report anything suspicious to the police. We all have a vital role to play as eyes and ears for our police and security services and in helping to ensure London is protected.
Khan says his “heart goes out to the victims of the incident in Russell Square and their loved ones”.Khan says his “heart goes out to the victims of the incident in Russell Square and their loved ones”.
6.54am BST6.54am BST
06:5406:54
Forensic tent at the spot in London's Russell Square where woman stabbed to death and others injured in knife attack pic.twitter.com/gSTvyocl6sForensic tent at the spot in London's Russell Square where woman stabbed to death and others injured in knife attack pic.twitter.com/gSTvyocl6s
6.49am BST6.49am BST
06:4906:49
Khan added that his “heart goes out to the victims of the incident in Russell Square and their loved ones”.Khan added that his “heart goes out to the victims of the incident in Russell Square and their loved ones”.
One woman died, and five other people were injured in the stabbing.One woman died, and five other people were injured in the stabbing.
6.37am BST6.37am BST
06:3706:37
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has urged Londoners to remain “calm and vigilant”.The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has urged Londoners to remain “calm and vigilant”.
The Metropolitan police has said there will be an increased police presence, including armed officers, on the streets of the capital today.The Metropolitan police has said there will be an increased police presence, including armed officers, on the streets of the capital today.
6.30am BST6.30am BST
06:3006:30
As the day begins, Russell Square remains quiet, Press Association reports:As the day begins, Russell Square remains quiet, Press Association reports:
A heavy police presence and cordon remained in place on Thursday morning, with a forensics tent marking the spot where the woman was killed.A heavy police presence and cordon remained in place on Thursday morning, with a forensics tent marking the spot where the woman was killed.
A private ambulance was seen removing the body at around 5.20am, after forensics officers had finished scouring the scene for evidence.A private ambulance was seen removing the body at around 5.20am, after forensics officers had finished scouring the scene for evidence.
Businesses surrounding Russell Square remained closed, with normally busy coffee shops shut to customers as the investigations continued.Businesses surrounding Russell Square remained closed, with normally busy coffee shops shut to customers as the investigations continued.
6.05am BST6.05am BST
06:0506:05
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said:A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said:
We were called at 10.33pm last night to an incident in Russell Square, WC1.We were called at 10.33pm last night to an incident in Russell Square, WC1.
We sent a number of staff to the scene, including four ambulance crews, a responder in a car, an advanced paramedic and two officers.We sent a number of staff to the scene, including four ambulance crews, a responder in a car, an advanced paramedic and two officers.
A medical team of a doctor and paramedic from London’s air ambulance also attended by car.A medical team of a doctor and paramedic from London’s air ambulance also attended by car.
Our first staff arrived at the scene within seven minutes.Our first staff arrived at the scene within seven minutes.
Sadly, despite extensive treatment one woman was pronounced dead at the scene.Sadly, despite extensive treatment one woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Our staff also treated a further five people who had been injured during the incident, three men and two women, who were all taken to hospital.Our staff also treated a further five people who had been injured during the incident, three men and two women, who were all taken to hospital.
5.50am BST5.50am BST
05:5005:50
5.26am BST5.26am BST
05:2605:26
Vikram DoddVikram Dodd
Extra police patrols will be on London’s streets on Thursday morning following the knife attack. These will include armed officers, with the extra patrols meant to reassure the public, but also visibly demonstrating to the Met’s political bosses they can deal with the challenges terrorism – which is not a confirmed motive in the Russell Square attack – presents.Extra police patrols will be on London’s streets on Thursday morning following the knife attack. These will include armed officers, with the extra patrols meant to reassure the public, but also visibly demonstrating to the Met’s political bosses they can deal with the challenges terrorism – which is not a confirmed motive in the Russell Square attack – presents.
Assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said:Assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said:
As a precautionary measure, Londoners will wake up this morning to notice an increased presence on the streets of officers, including armed officers today. We would urge the public to remain calm, alert and vigilant.As a precautionary measure, Londoners will wake up this morning to notice an increased presence on the streets of officers, including armed officers today. We would urge the public to remain calm, alert and vigilant.
The UK’s terrorism threat level remains at severe, meaning an attack is highly likely.The UK’s terrorism threat level remains at severe, meaning an attack is highly likely.
5.18am BST5.18am BST
05:1805:18
Here is video of Mark Rowley, assistant commissioner in the Metropolitan police, giving his earlier statement on the stabbing, the victims and the 19-year-old who remains under arrest in hospital:Here is video of Mark Rowley, assistant commissioner in the Metropolitan police, giving his earlier statement on the stabbing, the victims and the 19-year-old who remains under arrest in hospital:
RAW VIDEO: 1 dead and 5 other injured in London knife attack. https://t.co/NafAUnovtURAW VIDEO: 1 dead and 5 other injured in London knife attack. https://t.co/NafAUnovtU
5.06am BST5.06am BST
05:0605:06
Two women, three men injuredTwo women, three men injured
A new statement from the Metropolitan police now says that two women and three men (and not one woman and four men, as earlier reported) were the five people injured in the attack.A new statement from the Metropolitan police now says that two women and three men (and not one woman and four men, as earlier reported) were the five people injured in the attack.
This is in addition to the woman who died at the scene.This is in addition to the woman who died at the scene.
The statement gives no further information on their injuries.The statement gives no further information on their injuries.