A man has been arrested after an 11-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman were stabbed in central London, London’s Metropolitan Police said on Monday, adding there was no indication the attack was terror-related.
The attack occurred outside a tea shop in Leicester Square, a magnet for tourists with its shops, theatres and cinemas. The square and surrounding area have an estimated 2.5 million visitors every week.
Police said the two victims were taken to a major trauma centre. The girl required treatment but her life was not in jeopardy, police said. The woman’s injuries were less serious.
The stabbing occurred as Britain is on edge after violence for the past week as crowds spouting anti-immigrant and Islamophobic slogans clashed with police. The disturbances have been fuelled by right-wing activists who used social media to spread misinformation about a knife attack that killed three girls during a Taylor Swift-themed dance event.