A police officer is recovering from wounds sustained while confronting a suspect armed with a machete in London yesterday, according to reports.
The incident unfolded at around noon on Sunday in Forest Gate, a district in the borough of Newham in East London.
Authorities say they were alerted about an armed man "suffering a mental health crisis" at a residence on Skelton Road.
This incident has now concluded. We will provide some further details when possible.
— Newham MPS | North East BCU (@MPSNewham) April 10, 2022
Thank you to local people for your patience while officers dealt with the situation.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a male suspect brandishing a large blade and suffering from a neck wound that is believed to have been self-inflicted.
Just another day in Forest Gate 👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/e86HC5CW0V
— Sebzy (@Sebzy7) April 10, 2022
"One officer received a slash injury to his arm and was taken to hospital. He has been discharged following treatment," Metropolitan Police explained in a statement.
Police officer gets chopped by an axeman in forest gate . Shocking @NewhamLondon @LBCNews @BBCBreaking pic.twitter.com/HSTZ6s4t4c
— StevenB ⚒️ (@stevend66768143) April 10, 2022
Some residents were rescued from the building by the London Fire Brigade during a standoff.
Shortly after 7 p.m., Met Police "arrested the 31-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder of the police officer," they said.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following an incident in Skelton Road, E7.
— Newham MPS | North East BCU (@MPSNewham) April 10, 2022
The arrested man has been taken to hospital.https://t.co/RKcQh8iFQZ
"He's... not a naughty boy, none of that stuff. He's really nice and a religious guy, a load of people give him respect," one person claiming to be a relative of the suspect told The Telegraph. "We're just shocked."
In 2016, the Independent described the borough of Newham as a "hub for migration" where white Brits are a minority.
The long criminal history of Disney’s pedophile child predators...
(PHOTO: Screenshots / Twitter)