London police officers in ‘butcher’s knife’ stabbing

The officers were called to the city’s Kingsbury area this morning where eyewitnesses said they were confronted by a man who had grabbed a knife from a butcher’s shop.

He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a violent struggle which brought chaos to the London suburb.

Speaking close to the scene of the incident, Chief Superintendent Dalwardin Babu, the borough commander for Harrow, said that four officers had suffered stab wounds.

The first had stomach wounds, the second had head injuries and a slash to the arm, the third had stab wounds to a leg and the fourth had slash wounds on a hand as well as a broken hand.

The shopkeeper explained how the man had then taken a butcher’s knife which was about 12 inches long

Police forensic experts continued to inspect the crime scene. Mohammad Qasim, 51, owner of the Kingsbury Halal Butchers, described how a man walked into his shop and said: “Give me a chopper”.

Mr Qasim, who has owned the shop for 24 years, said: “It was about 9.20, everybody was busy, customers come in the morning time.

“The man came quickly inside and said ‘give me a chopper’.

“The boys who work for me said ‘why give you a chopper?’. The man was very strong.”

The shopkeeper explained how the man had then taken a butcher’s knife which was about 12 inches long.

He said: “After a few minutes police came in and tried to catch him and he stabbed one.

“There was plenty of blood inside, everything was a mess and then police came and said ‘go out’.

“Everybody came out and police went in and took the guy.”

Kingsbury Road, normally busy with shoppers on a Saturday morning, was deserted either side of the roundabout, with police having blocked off the road in both directions.

“Officers attempted to speak with the man before he ran into a local butcher’s shop and grabbed a knife,” a Yard spokesman said.

“Officers followed the man in an attempt to detain him and were subsequently assaulted.

“A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody at a north London police station.”

Shopkeeper Girish Modha said: “A man was shouting at police in a small alleyway next to a hairdresser’s shop which neighbours mine.

“He grabbed a piece of fluorescent tubing and brandished it at police. He then ran down Kingsbury Road, going into a cash-and-carry shop. At one point I think he threw a brick and smashed a police car window.

I’m sure everyone, including our critics, wish the police officers well and a speedy recovery. Simon Reed, Police Federation

“He then ran round the roundabout and carried on towards the Tube station. He went into a butcher’s, got a knife and that’s when the stabbing took place.”

Simon Reed, Vice-Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said the attack highlights the dangers officers face on a daily basis.

He added: “Again, we have seen the dedication, professionalism and courage of police officers protecting the public and our communities.

“I’m sure everyone, including our critics, wish the police officers well and a speedy recovery.”