British Museum attack horror as man arrested with 'large 30cm kitchen knife'
A man has been arrested after a stabbing outside the British Museum with a victim taken to hospital and three knives recovered.
Metropolitan Police officers rushed to the popular museum, famous for housing the Rosetta Stone, after a man was stabbed nearby. The police force said they have arrested a man on suspicion of causing grievous body harm at the junction of Russell Street and Museum Street at 10am.
The victim, who was stabbed in the arm, was taken to the hospital by London Ambulance Service and his condition is being assessed. A police tent was erected on the pavement on the museum side of Great Russell Street, just metres from the entrance. The incident is not being treated as terror-related and a spokesman for Met Police told The Mirror "three knives were recovered".
A woman reportedly said that she saw the alleged attacker with "three huge silver knives" close to the museum ahead of the stabbing. A witness also told the Mirror that they saw a man being arrested on a side street and a police officer was also seen taking a "large, 30cm kitchen knife" as evidence.
Visitors were evacuated from the British Museum following a stabbing (Rafe Berding)Australian visitor Rafe Berding said there was a large police presence with tactical response units racing to the scene. He said a suspect was searched and arrested by three officers in a side street and there was a "pool of blood" in the area. He told the Mirror: "A pool and trail of blood was clearly visible to hundreds of bystanders at the entrance of the museum. I saw an officer walk past with a large 30cm kitchen knife in hand."
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He added: "A large line of visitors to the museum were moved away from the scene. The response of the officers was calm despite the circumstances."
A witness said she saw “a man holding three huge silver knives,” near the museum before the attack, reported The Sun. "The blade and handle were silver and I couldn’t see the join between them. It was quite quiet at the time. People were looking at him but no one was reacting,” she said.
The woman told how she went into a chemist to tell them to call the police and that the man headed off towards the British Museum. She then saw police putting a large knife into a bag and reportedly added: "The police van was parked on my street and as they put him into the van he stared at me and my husband. It was chilling and felt intimidating."
Police restrict access near the British Museum (Getty Images)A 27-year-old American woman said she was about to enter the queue at the British Museum when she was told to leave by police because someone had been stabbed. The visitor from New York was leaving a Starbucks directly across from the museum on Great Russell Street when police approached her.
She said: "I was standing across the street at the Starbucks walking out to get into the line. We decided it was a good time to go, then we walked out and a cop directly in front of us told us we needed to leave and that the crime scene was large. I heard that someone was stabbed and the ambulance was parked inside near the grass area and then rushed down the street, right by me, with police following behind. A cop told me the museum is completely closed until tomorrow."
Visitors were evacuated as the museum was closed following the incident (PA)Former Chancellor George Osborne said news of the knife attack was "disturbing". He tweeted: "Much thanks to our security team and other BM staff, who reacted quickly, with the police. Museum has now reopened. Everyone’s thoughts at the BM are with the victim and we wish him the best recovery."
Bystanders on social media said the police were dealing with "a large crime scene". Keira Renee, a journalist at the Financial Times, tweeted: "Was just waiting in line to enter.. Being told by police that it’s a large crime scene and that the museum will be closed until tomorrow."
Even though the museum was originally expected to be closed until tomorrow, just after 12.30pm it was confirmed that it has reopened to visitors. A spokesperson said they have raised security including a heightened search operation.
Police rushed to the British Museum this morning (PA)Witnesses claimed there was a "man with a knife in the queue" as visitors were ordered to leave the museum. A visitor tweeted: "Within 10 minutes of entering, they are kicking us out. The @britishmuseum is closing due to police alert?? A man with a knife in the queue."
Camden Police said in a statement: "A man has been arrested on suspicion of GBH following an isolated incident at the junction of Russell Street /Museum St approx 10am - a man was taken to hospital with a stab wound. No outstanding risk to the public."
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The Metropolitan Police said: "Police have arrested a man on suspicion of GBH following an incident at the junction of Russell Street and Museum Street around 10am on Tuesday 8 August. A man was treated for a stab wound to the arm at the scene and taken by London Ambulance Service to hospital. His condition is being assessed.
"This was an isolated incident and there is no outstanding risk to the public. It is not being treated as terror-related. The scene may be in place for much of today. Anyone with information or footage which could assist the police investigation is asked to contact police on 101, quoting CADF 2184/08AUG, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
A police tent outside the British Museum in London (PA)A British Museum spokesperson told the Mirror: "The Museum was closed this morning due to an incident following a member of the public being attacked nearby. The Museum’s security team supported at the scene until the emergency services arrived.
"Visitors were evacuated from the Museum as a precaution and we wish the victim a full and swift recovery."
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