30/04/24
BREAKING NEWS: Horror as sword-wielding knifeman seen crouching outside houses and prowling the streets of Hainault - as man is arrested after locals woke up to 'piercing screams'
A man has been arrested after a 'machete-wielding knifeman was seen prowling the streets of Hainault' in east London - as police respond to unconfirmed reports of a multiple stabbing.
Locals said they awoke to 'lots of shouting', 'piercing screams' and a man 'covered in blood' outside their homes.
MailOnline has contacted the Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service for comment.
People were seen gathering on the road outside Hainault tube station and a helicopter circling overhead.
Local Daniel Garfinkle, who lives outside the station, told Mail Online: 'I woke up at 7am to lots of shouting. There was a guy outside covered in blood, near the station and outside my home.
'Police were trying to calm down the man who carried out the stabbing.
'But he went towards the station. He kept shouting.'
Another local said: 'There was at least one man lying in a pool of blood.
'It was horrific. There were these terrible screams I woke to. Piercing screams.
'People said it was with a machete.'
Redbridge Borough Police confirmed on X that they were responding to an incident in the Hainault area.
They advised people to follow police instructions and that a man had been arrested.
Wes Streeting MP posted on X: 'A critical incident has been declared in Hainault. There are station and road closures in place.
'The police, ambulance service and fire brigade are responding. One male detained.
'I would urge people not to speculate until details are confirmed or post footage on social media.'
He added: 'I am in contact with the Met Police, Mayor of London and Redbridge Council.
'I will keep local residents updated as and when I can.'
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