Two people have been stabbed at Central Middlesex Hospital in north-west London, with one suffering life-threatening injuries, while a man detained by armed police at the scene is critical with self-inflicted wounds, the Metropolitan Police said.
Armed police swooped on a hospital amid reports of stabbings. Officers made one arrest at Central Middlesex Hospital in north west London, Metropolitan police confirmed.
Some reports on social media suggested that patients had to shelter in safe rooms, but this has not been officially confirmed. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “Officers will remain in the hospital as further searches are conducted but at this time they are satisfied that no one else is sought.
“Police are working to establish the circumstances. At this time the incident is not being treated as terror-related.
“The hospital was temporarily locked down but has now reopened and will be operating services as normal. There is a heightened police presence at the hospital while we investigate.”
A spokesman for the hospital trust said: “We can confirm an incident took place at Central Middlesex Hospital this afternoon. Police are on site and the hospital was temporarily locked down for a short period of time as a precautionary measure.
“Working closely with the Metropolitan Police, we have now reopened the hospital and services will continue as normal.”
Footage shows an officer running towards the hospital’s entrance, as well as a number of police cars and ambulances at the scene. London North West University Healthcare added: “There’s an ongoing incident at Central Middlesex Hospital. Please follow any instructions given to you by the police.”
In a statement on Twitter, London Ambulance Service said it was at the scene with paramedics and an air ambulance and hazardous environment team have also been dispatched.
LAS said: “We’ve sent a number of resources to the scene, including an incident response officer, an advanced paramedic, an ambulance crew, a medic in a fast response car, and @LAS_HART.
“We also dispatched @LDNairamb. The incident is ongoing and we are working with our emergency services partners.”
One patient suggested that the hospital has been placed in lockdown. She tweeted: “I am at Middlesex Central hospital in the dialysis unit and we’re sheltering in safe rooms.
“Armed policemen are on the scene, being described as a ‘major incident’”.
