‘Get your act together!' Sadiq Khan blasted after ‘avoidable’ Hainault sword attack

Sadiq Khan must carry the can for London’s increase in violent crime after a 14-year-old boy was killed and five people were rushed to hospital following today’s shocking machete attack in Hainault, electoral rival Howard Cox has claimed.

And Reform UK’s candidate for the London mayoralty also criticised the Metropolitan Police, specifically its “woke” Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.

Today's shocking attack comes just two days before Labour's Mr Khan tries to secure a third term in charge of the capital.

Police and paramedics swooped in Thurlow Gardens, close to Hainault Tube station, after an emergency call just before 7am. Video footage showed a man prowling with a machete-like sword in the area. Multiple people were reported to be injured, including two police officers.

Mr Cox, who is also founder of Fair Fuel UK, told Express.co.uk: “Yet another avoidable knife attack.

“When will Sadiq Khan and his woke Met boss get their acts together? They are to blame for the increase in violent crime.”

The number of police patrolling the streets of the capital needed to be tripled, Mr Cox argued.

He added: “The police numbers are already there but they are wasting their time on pointless paperwork and checking on free speech social media messages. Get them out on the streets.

“Bring back stop and search too: it worked before. Give Londoners the protection they want and entitled to.”

Only last week, during a LBC radio debate, Mr Khan responded to Conservative rival Susan Hall’s claim that there were “gangs running around with machetes” by saying: “I think the Tory candidate should stop watching The Wire.”

Speaking hours after the latest attack, Ms Hall resisted the temptation to reference his remark, telling Express.co.uk: "This is deeply concerning and my thoughts are with those who have been injured.

“I am grateful to the emergency services for responding to this incident so quickly and for all the work they do to keep people safe.

“I would urge people not to speculate about the incident on social media and I would encourage any witnesses to contact the police."

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat candidate Rob Blackie, who has pledged to “fix the Met” if elected, told Express.co.uk: "Under Sadiq Khan's leadership, the Met is overstretched - making it hard to prevent or respond to crimes.

"Six thousand police are stuck in the back office when they could be on the front line.

“My top priority will be to get police back onto the front line, focussing on the crimes that matter.”

Mr Khan himself said: “I am absolutely devastated by the news from Hainault this morning.

“I remain in constant contact with the Commissioner.

"A man has been arrested and the area secured. The police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. There will be additional reassurance patrols in the area.

“The police officers and emergency services showed the best of our city - running towards danger to protect others and I thank them from the bottom of my heart."

He added: “I would urge people not to speculate until the details of this incident are confirmed by the police and avoid posting footage on social media."

A 36-year-old man is now in custody. Police have said they are not treating the incident as terror-related.

A 14-year-old boy died after being stabbed, Metropolitan Police confirmed this afternoon.

Knife crime offences in London recorded by the Metropolitan Police rose year-on-year in the latest figures, but have not yet returned to levels seen before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some 14,577 offences were recorded in the 12 months to December 2023, Home Office data show.

This is up 20 percent from 12,119 in the previous 12 months, but is slightly below the 14,680 in the year to March 2020.

Statement from Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, who leads local policing for the Met's East Area Command:

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.

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.