Appeal and advice to public following series of stabbings in Edmonton
Detectives are appealing for information and urging the public to stay vigilant following a series of stabbings in the Edmonton area of London.
Urgent enquiries are underway to trace the single male suspect who is described as a black man, approximately 6ft 3ins tall, of skinny build and wearing dark clothing, possibly a hooded top.
There is a lot of police activity underway to catch this suspect. Extra resources have been called upon and are on the streets now working to keep the public safe and catch the individual responsible.
The first stabbing took place at 19:02hrs on Saturday, 30 March at Aberdeen Road, N18 following reports of an assault. London Ambulance Service also attended. The victim, aged 45, had sustained a stab wound to her back after being attacked by the man. She has been taken to an east London hospital where she remains in a critical condition.
The second incident took place four hours later at approximately 00:15hrs on Sunday, 31 March to reports of a male suffering stab injuries in Park Avenue, N18. Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and the male victim was taken to an east London hospital for treatment. His condition is not life threatening.
The third incident on Sunday, 31 March at 03:55 hours to Seven Sisters tube station to reports of a man stabbed. A 23-year-old man suffered stab injuries. He remains in hospital. Initial enquiries have established that the man may have sustained his injuries in Silver Street, Edmonton. His condition is critical.
The last incident took place at 09:43 hours in Brettenham Road, N18. Officers attended and found a man with a stab injury to the back. He has also been taken to hospital for an assessment of his injury. His injuries are not life threatening but potentially life- changing.
A/DCI Stuart Smillie from North Area Command said: “Police are treating the four stabbing related incidents as potentially linked. The four victims are all from different backgrounds and appear to have been selected at random due to them being alone and vulnerable. There is nothing to suggest this incident is terror related.
“We are working on the hypothesis that the single male suspect is acting alone and mental health issues may be a factor. All of the people he has targeted have been walking alone and he has approached from behind without warning.
“Members of the public who have information about this suspect or have spotted someone acting suspiciously who matches his description are advised to call police on 999 and not to approach the man.
“His description has been circulated to all officers in North Area who are carrying out patrols, CCTV footage enquiries and policing busy areas around where the incidents took place, particularly where he was last seen where police arrived four minutes after the call to police was made. A picture of this suspect will be circulated as soon as one is retrieved. My advice to the public in the area where these incidents took place stay vigilant, be aware of your surroundings and call 999 if you see anyone matching the suspects description behaving suspiciously."
One man has been arrested on suspicion of GBH at 10:53hrs in Fore Street, N9. Enquiries continue to establish if he is the individual behind these incidents.
Published: by Radio NewsHub