Two police officers were stabbed early on Friday (September 16) in central London and taken to hospital, London police said, adding that a man “with a knife” has been arrested.
“Two officers were stabbed and are currently being treated in hospital.” “A man has been arrested” in the Leicester Square area, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement without detailing the condition of the officers who were stabbed. The arrested man was also hospitalized. The incident took place around 7 am (French time). This attack “is not being treated as terrorist-related”, police said.
This attack comes at a time when a gigantic security device is deployed in the British capital ahead of Monday’s funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Hundreds of leaders and crowned heads from around the world are due to attend the ceremony, which promises to be a “massive challenge” according to the new chief of London police, Mark Rowley.
Thousands of police officers were requisitioned for this state funeral. The United Kingdom has suffered numerous attacks over the past ten years. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan described the attack as “appalling” and recalled the risks police took to ensure everyone’s safety.
.