Bromley stabbing LIVE: Man fighting for life after ‘machete attack’ on high street leaves four in hospitalLatest updates as four taken to hospital and seven people arrested after stabbings on Bromley High Street as men seen ‘carrying machetes’
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Matt Watts, News Editor|Nicholas Cecil, Chief Reporter @nicholascecil|Megan Howe, News Reporter17 minutes ago
A man is in critical condition and three others in hospital after being stabbed in a knife attack on a high street in south London.
The stabbings in Bromley followed reports of a number of people being seen in the area carrying machetes.
Police confirmed they responded to reports of an “altercation” in Bromley High Street at around 2.15pm.
They found the four men who had been stabbed and London Ambulance Service said they were all taken to hospital. One is in a critical condition.
Seven people have been arrested and remain in police custody.
Forensic officers and a crime scene photographer were later seen working inside and outside the KFC restaurant on the High Street and there were evidence markers on the floor.
The fast food chain confirmed a “serious incident” took place inside their restaurant.
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Live updates
‘A man pulled out a machete and ran into KFC holding it up in the air,’ eyewitness claims
An eyewitness told the BBC they saw a fight breaking out at the door of KFC, with the altercation involving people inside and outside.
“A male in a grey tracksuit pulled out a machete and ran further into KFC holding it up in the air, at which point most people around KFC started running away, including my friend and I,” they said.
“I didn’t turn around until we got to the shopping centre where I saw him running away with someone down a road.”
‘A woman came in saying ‘lock the doors”, local barbershop manager says
Barber George Ioannou, who manages the Antonio’s barber shop next to KFC said people were running into his shop to take cover.
He told The Sun: “A woman came in crying and saying, ‘Lock the doors’.
“She said there were people with machetes. I locked the door. She was very upset.”
KFC confirm ‘serious incident’ took place inside their restaurant on Bromley High Street
A KFC spokesperson confirmed a “serious incident” had taken place at its Bromley High Street restaurant and an altercation had begun there.
The company said it was assisting police and “supporting our team members and customers at this difficult time”.
Tory mayoral hopeful James Cleverly reacts to stabbings
Former Home Secretary Sir James Cleverly, who is seeking to be the Tory candidate for Mayor of London, said: “‘Bromley residents will be rightly worried about events on the High Street this afternoon.
“The police must be given the time, space, and backing to establish what has happened and bring the perpetrators to justice as swiftly as possible.
“In the meantime my thoughts are with those affected and their families.’
James CleverlyPA
In Photos: Pictures show forensics and officers at the scene
Forensics and police officers have been pictured at the scene of a stabbing in Bromley.
Four men have been taken to hospital with injuries, including one who is in critical condition.
A police cordon has been put in place and officers remain at the scene offering support to members of the local community.
The scene in Bromley after four people were taken to hospital (James Manning/PA)PA WireThe scene in Bromley after four people were taken to hospital following reports of a stabbing (James Manning/PA)PA WireThe scene after four people were stabbed on Bromley High StreetX/ @Vinnie_VdKForensic investigators on the scene in BromleyPA
Fight reportedly broke out at KFC
Eyewitnesses, speaking to the Daily Mail, claim a fight broke out at KFC on Bromley High Street before spilling out into the street.
A witness described seeing “a lot of blood”.
A bus driver who arrived at the scene moments after the attack said the victims had been attacked with a “zombie knife”.
Forensic officers and a crime scene photographer were later seen working inside and outside the KFC restaurant on the High Street and there were evidence markers on the floor.
The fast food chain confirmed a “serious incident” took place inside their restaurant.
Police at the scene of the incident in Bromley (James Manning/PA)PA Wire
Resident on the high street recalls huge police response
Vinnie Guadagnino, who lives on the high street, said he saw a huge police response to the incident with several cars and at least ten officers on foot.
He told the BBC: “Police cars kept coming, then within the next half hour there were multiple fire engines and people gathering.
“Then there was a drone overhead and helicopters and an air ambulance – so a massive emergency service response.”
What has the London Ambulance Service said?
Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service were called to reports of a stabbing on Bromley High Street at 2.19pm this afternoon.
Ambulance crews, a paramedic in a fast response car, an incident response officer, an advanced paramedic and London’s Air Ambulance were dispatched to the scene, the service said.
Four patients were treated at the scene and three of them were taken to hospital.
First picture from the scene
A picture of the aftermath of the stabbing has been shared online.
It shows police and members of the London Fire Brigade in attendance and a section of the high street cordoned off.
Bystanders stand at the police cordon as officers begin their investigation into the incident.
Mayor says ‘no place for this violence in London’
The Mayor of London Lord Sadiq Khan has said “there is no place for this violence in London.
A spokesperson for the mayor said: “The Mayor is aware of the incident in Bromley in which four men have been stabbed, one of whom has been left in a critical condition.
“Thanks to swift work from Met police officers, seven men have already been arrested. There is not believed to be any wider threat to the public but police enquiries continue.
“There is no place for this violence in London and the Mayor is calling on anyone with information linked to this incident to contact the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. There is no honour in staying silent.”
Mayor of London Sadiq KhanPALatest updatesOlder updates