Hainault stabbing: Full Met Police statement after 14-year-old dies

You will be aware that a very serious incident occurred here this morning with police and the London Ambulance Service deployed to a number of casualties.

It is with great sadness that I confirm one of those injured, a 14-year-old boy, has died. He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly died shortly afterwards.

The child’s family are being supported by specially trained officers. Everyone across the Met is keeping them in our thoughts at this unimaginably difficult time.

The events of this morning are truly horrific and I cannot begin to imagine how all those affected must be feeling.

My thoughts are with the injured, their families and the wider community as we all begin to come to terms with what has happened.

I know that there is an understandable desire for answers and an explanation about what happened. Our investigation is in its very early stages and my officers are working to establish the full circumstances as a priority.

A 36-year-old man is currently in custody. He was Tasered and arrested 22 minutes after the first call to police was received shortly before 7am.

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I want to reiterate that at present we do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the wider community, we are not looking for more suspects and this incident does not appear to be terror-related.

We know now that during the incident five people were injured, three members of the public and two police officers.

The other two members of the public remain in hospital and thankfully their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The two Met officers are also in hospital with stab wounds. Both require surgery and have significant injuries but these are not life-threatening.

I commend the incredible bravery of our officers and the other emergency services who raced to the scene this morning.

I would ask anyone with any information that could help our investigation to call 101.

I know the families of those involved, the community and many across London will want to know why this terrible incident happened.

We are committed to providing those answers when we can and I would ask for patience while this important work is carried out.