A 26-year-old man has been arrested after five people were stabbed in a west London street, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.
Arrest and charges
The suspect, who was himself among the injured, is being held under police guard in hospital after being arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs. GBH covers serious physical harm, while possession with intent to supply carries significant penalties and indicates investigators suspect the man was engaged in drug dealing. The 26-year-old sustained stab wounds that are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing, according to the force.
The stabbings
Officers on patrol were alerted to the incident at 2.47pm on Friday, 22 May, after reports of an altercation on Horn Lane in Acton. At the scene they found five men with stab wounds and immediately provided emergency first aid. The London Ambulance Service said it received a call at 2.46pm and dispatched multiple resources, including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, paramedics from its tactical response unit, an emergency planning officer and an incident response officer. Five people were treated at the scene and taken to hospital as a priority.
Four of the victims — aged 20, 22, 42 and 47 — were taken to hospital with stab wounds that have been assessed as not life-threatening or life-changing. The 26-year-old man later arrested was also taken to hospital, where his injuries are similarly not considered serious.
Police statement and appeal
A Met Police spokesperson said: “Police on patrol on Horn Lane, Acton at 14.47hrs on Friday, 22 May were alerted to reports that five men had been involved in an altercation, whereby they were assaulted and stabbed. Officers provided emergency first aid to the five people. Four of the men, aged 20, 22, 42 and 47, were taken to hospital with stab wounds. Their condition has been deemed not to be life-threatening or life-changing. Another man – aged 26 – was taken to hospital where his injuries have also been deemed not to be life-threatening or life-changing. He has been arrested on suspicion of GBH and possession with intent to supply Class A & B drugs but remains in hospital at this time.”
Chief Superintendent Jill Horsfall of the Met’s West Area Command Unit acknowledged the incident would be concerning for the local community. She said detectives are working to establish the full sequence of events and assured residents there will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days. Police are urging anyone with information or relevant footage to contact them on 101, quoting reference CAD 4780/22May, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
