Child and woman stabbed in London, man arrested, police say

There was no evidence to suggest the incident was terror-related, police said

August 12, 2024, 9:11 AM

LONDON -- An 11-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman were stabbed in Leicester Square in central London on Monday, police said.

A man has been arrested, and investigators "don't believe there are any outstanding suspects," according to London's Metropolitan Police Service

There is currently no evidence to suggest the incident is terror-related, police said.

The girl and the woman were taken to a hospital, police said, adding in an update that the 11-year-old will require further treatment, although her injures are not considered life-threatening. The woman sustained lesser injures, according to police.

A photograph taken on August 12, 2024 shows police officers standing by a cordoned off area in Leicester square, London.
Benjamin Cremel/AFP via Getty Images

The incident occurred as the U.K. remains on edge after a week of violence as far-right rioters clashed with police. The riots took place across England and Wales and were fueled by far-right activists using social media to spread misinformation.

Those riots follow the deaths of three girls, who were stabbed in a "ferocious" attack during a July 19 dance event in Southport, a seaside town, according to police.

A Police officer stands at the scene in Leicester Square, as a man was arrested with the accusation of stabbing an 11-year-old girl and 34-year-old woman, in London, Aug. 12, 2024.
James Manning/AP

A 17-year-old was arrested and charged with murder in the earlier Southport knife attack, police said. The suspect was from Banks, a coastal village in Lancashire, and was born in Cardiff, Wales, police said.

The Crown Court released the suspect's name after a judge ruled it could be released despite his age. Although the suspect was born in the United Kingdom, online rumors spread calling into question his immigration status, police said.

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