On the morning of Tuesday, April 30, 2024, a 36-year-old man was arrested in Hainault, east London, after a series of violent incidents involving a sword. The Metropolitan Police first responded to reports of a vehicle crashing into a house in the Thurlow Gardens area around 7 am. Subsequently, the suspect attacked several individuals, including two police officers. The events led to five people being hospitalized.

Authorities quickly contained the situation, with law enforcement deploying a Taser to subdue the assailant as he attempted to enter another house. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan confirmed that the situation was isolated, with no ongoing threat to the public and no links to terrorism.

The area around Hainault Tube station was closed during the police operation, which saw a significant deployment of emergency services, including the London Fire Brigade and police helicopters.

The incident induced considerable concern within the community and drew reactions from political figures such as Chancellor Rishi Sunak and local MP Wes Streeting, who commended the emergency services for their response. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Home Secretary James Cleverly also acknowledged the severity of the situation, emphasizing public safety and the need to avoid speculation.

Investigations into the motives behind the attack and further details of the incident are ongoing, with authorities promising more updates as they become available.