Two police officers were stabbed in Leicester Square in the early hours of Friday, with one suffering a “life-changing” injury.
The Metropolitan Police said a young female police officer suffered a serious stab wound to her arm which may be life-changing while her male colleague was stabbed three times in the neck and once in the chest, but should make a full recovery.
It comes as the Queen’s lying-in-state has been opened to the public bringing hundreds of thousands of mourners to the capital to pay their respects prompting the deployment of 10,000 officers into London.
Much of London's West End has been cordoned off following the attack around 6am. Crime scene investigators could be seen working outside a Shake Shack burger restaurant, located opposite the M&M's World shop in Leicester Square.
The cordon meant nearby West End theatres such as the Lyric were inaccessible this morning. Police vans parked at Piccadilly Circus blocked motorists from driving down Shaftesbury Avenue.
Guests at the nearby Thistle Trafalgar Square hotel on Whitcomb Street were told by police they would be unable to return to their rooms today if they ventured beyond the cordon.
Home secretary Suella Braverman said she is “concerned” about the stabbings.
“Every day we are safer thanks to the bravery of our policemen and women. I wish the police officers a swift recovery and my thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues,” Ms Braverman said in a tweet.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said in a statement: “On Friday, 16 September at around 6am police encountered a male with a knife in the area of Leicester Square.
“Two officers received stab wounds and are currently being treated in hospital. We await further updates on their conditions.
“Taser was deployed and a male was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and assaulting an emergency worker. He was taken to a hospital for treatment where he remains at this time.
“Enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing.”
The Metropolitan Police added that the situation is not being treated as terror-related and the families of the two officers are aware.
Leicester Square is only minutes away from where visitors are queuing for hours to see the Queen’s coffin in Westminster Hall. The force is overseeing the event codenamed Operation Feather part of the larger Operation London Bridge which includes all of the events that follow the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
In a media briefing following the stabbing, Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) deputy assistant commissioner Stuart Cundy said a knife has been recovered from the scene and an investigation is underway.
“An incident such as this is always something we’re very mindful of at major events and operations,” Mr Cundy added.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the attack and called for anyone with information about the incident to contact police.
He said: “This attack on serving police officers in Soho overnight is utterly appalling.
“These brave officers were doing their duty and assisting the public at this momentous time for our country. My thoughts and prayers are with them, their loved ones and police colleagues following this disgraceful attack.
“Our police officers run towards danger to protect others and keep us safe and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude. I have spoken with the new Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley about this awful incident and remain in close contact.
“Attacks against the police will not be tolerated and any perpetrators will be caught and prosecuted. I urge anyone with information to come forward to ensure the perpetrator of this disgusting attack feels the full force of the law.”
It comes after the new boss of the Metropolitan Police said preparations for the Queen's lying in state present a “massive challenge”.
Sir Mark Rowley said the operation, which will involve thousands of officers, was something “we have been preparing for many, many years” as he started work as Commissioner of Britain's biggest police force on Monday.
A meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency planning committee was told that the number of people expected to visit the capital was estimated to total between 750,000 and a million, according to reports.
For visitors wishing to enter Westminster Hall airport-style security is in place in addition to tight restrictions on what can be brought in including bans on camping equipment, large bags, banners or placards and any sharp objects.
In a bid to prevent overcrowding in the capital, three central London Tube stations will be closed on the morning of the Queen’s funeral.
Transport for London (TfL) announced that passengers will be prevented from starting or ending journeys at Westminster, St James’s Park and Hyde Park Corner stations for “most of the morning” on Monday.
The transport body said it “will aim to reopen stations” after the funeral at Westminster Abbey – which will be at around noon – to help people leaving the Westminster area.
