Enfield stabbing: Man knifed in London after spate of random attacks

Detectives investigating whether attack is linked to 'random' knifings over the weekend, following arrest of man in his 30s

A man is fighting for his life after being stabbed in Enfield, north London, following four random stabbings in nearby Edmonton over the weekend.

The Metropolitan Police said the attack “has not yet been formally linked” to the Edmonton assaults.

The culprit in all five attacks was identified as a tall, skinny black man wearing a hooded top.

Detectives said they had arrested a man in his 30s in Edmonton Green on Tuesday morning, and that they were investigating whether the latest knifing was related to the other four.

Witnesses who saw the arrest described the man as tall, black and skinny, and said he was wearing a green hoody with a grey sweatshirt underneath, "dirty" blue jeans and blue trainers.

One said: "A police car pulled up and four or five police officers sprinted over and arrested a man outside the window.

"They arrested and searched him. Two more police cars turned up as they went through his wallet - they looked like they were checking it was the right guy.

"The man didn't say anything for the whole time. It lasted around 15 to 20 minutes."

Scotland Yard said Tuesday’s victim, believed to be in his 30s, was reported to have been walking with a companion when he was attacked in Fairfield Road. He then made his way to Aberdeen Road, where he was found by police.

A large police cordon was in place blocking off several streets in the area, with uniformed officers standing guard.

Investigators in forensic suits were taking photographs of the area and looking for clues.

A black jacket, metallic blanket and medical equipment marked the scene in Aberdeen Road, where the victim was found.

Forensics teams work at the scene of a stabbing in Edmonton (Getty Images) (Getty)

Detective Superintendent Luke Marks, of the North Area Command Unit, said: “I am aware that events from the weekend have caused a huge amount of worry and concern among the community, and that this incident will cause further alarm.

“While at this stage the incident has not yet been formally linked, the location and manner of this attack will be of concern to the public. Our advice continues that the public remain vigilant, and to contact police regarding anyone acting suspiciously.

“You will see additional uniformed patrols in the Edmonton area. If you have any concerns, please speak with my officers immediately.”

Two men who were previously arrested on suspicion of randomly attacking strangers from behind remain in custody after officers were given more time to question them into Tuesday.

One, a man believed to be in his 40s, was arrested at a home in Edmonton and the other was arrested in Fore Street.

The Metropolitan Police said a 45-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man remained in a critical condition in hospital on Monday night.

Police said there was nothing to suggest the stabbings were terror-related.

The 45-year-old woman became the first victim when she was stabbed once in the back at about 7pm on Saturday in Aberdeen Road.

Then at 12.15am police were called to Park Avenue where a 52-year-old man had been injured with a knife. He has since been discharged from hospital.

The third attack was on a 23-year-old man just before 4am near Seven Sisters tube station. He is in a critical but stable condition.

The final attack occurred around 9.40am on Sunday in Brettenham Road where officers found a 29-year-old man with a stab injury to the back. His injuries are potentially life-changing but not life-threatening.

On Monday, prime minister Theresa May held a special meeting to discuss tackling Britain’s soaring knife crime after official statistics showed there were 285 stabbings in England and Wales in 2018, the highest level since records began more than 70 years ago.

Police have blamed the surge in knife crime on rivalries between drug gangs, cuts to youth services and provocations on social media.

Additional reporting by agencies