A 13-year-old boy has been arrested following a serious stabbing incident that sent shockwaves through a central London community this afternoon.
The alarming event unfolded near the gates of a secondary school on Vauxhall Bridge Road in the Westminster area. Emergency services, including armed police officers, descended on the scene shortly after the incident was reported.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the victim is a man believed to be in his 50s. He was treated at the scene by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service before being rushed to a major trauma centre. His injuries have been described by authorities as serious but are not believed to be life-threatening.
Police Response and Arrest
Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Central West Command Unit responded swiftly to calls from concerned members of the public. A crime scene was established, cordoning off a significant section of the pavement near the school.
A spokesperson for the Met confirmed: "A 13-year-old boy was arrested at the scene on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He remains in custody at a central London police station as investigations continue."
Community Reaction
The stabbing occurred in a busy area of the capital, causing significant distress to parents, teachers, and pupils at the nearby school. The school has been liaising with police and is understood to be offering support to students who may have witnessed the aftermath of the attack.
An eyewitness at the scene described a heavy police presence and a sense of alarm amongst passers-by. The incident has once again raised concerns about youth violence and knife crime in the capital.
The investigation is ongoing, and police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
