Stabbing in London Tube station investigated as ‘terrorist incident’

A police vehicle parked outside Leytonstone Underground station in east London on December 6, 2015, where three people were stabbed in an attack police are treating as a “terrorist incident” Police were called to reports of people being attacked at Leytonstone around 19:00 GMT on December 5.

The British police said the attack, which left one man seriously injured and another with minor injuries, has been classified as a terrorism incident. On its second-highest security alert, Britain, like many other European countries, is already on edge after Islamic extremist attacks in Paris, but vows not to be shaken by threats.

Police in London are also stepping up patrols at transport hubs to “identify and deter terrorism”.

He said following the knife attack in Leytonstone, the British Transport Police “are now deploying still more officers in this role”. In an emergency, they have been advised to call 999 or can report anything suspicious by texting 61016 or calling the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.

As he was led away, Mire shouted “This is for Syria, my Muslim brothers”, and made similar statements when interviewed at the police station, according to the document.

One bystander can be heard shouting at the suspect: “You ain’t no Muslim, bruv”.

“It was a violent, sustained and unprovoked attack during which the victim was punched, knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked on the ground”, he said.

Earlier another witness, Tube station shopkeeper Salim Patel, described how the worst-affected victim was screaming “somebody help, somebody help”.

A man who allegedly shouted “this is for Syria” was arrested after being Tasered by officers.

A house in east London is being searched by police officers investigating the attack at Leytonstone underground station.

The video appears to show the knifeman wildly gesticulating and confronting several people in the station, before slashing a man in the throat area.

David Pethers fought the man at Leytonstone Underground station even after being cut in the neck, while others filmed on their camera phones.

“Anyone who may have captured video or photographic footage of the incident is also urged to make contact with the Counter Terrorism Command via the Anti-Terror hotline”, he said.

British warplanes joined air strikes against Islamic State in Syria for the first time on Thursday, a few hours after parliament gave its approval.