Four men stabbed with scissors in Covent Garden, London; 47-year-old woman arrested
A 47-year-old woman was arrested after four men aged 34 to 52 were stabbed with scissors on Endell Street in Covent Garden, central London, on 5 August 2026. Police described the incident as isolated and mental-health related.
The attack
On Wednesday, 5 August 2026, around 12:27 local time, a 47-year-old woman attacked four men on Endell Street in Covent Garden, central London, an area popular with tourists and filled with theatres, bars and restaurants. Police were called at 12:27 and the London Ambulance Service at 12:29. Officers arrived to find four men injured, aged 34, 39, 42 and 52. A pair of scissors was seized at the scene, believed to be the weapon used. Police initially indicated the weapon was a knife but later clarified it was scissors. The woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and assault, and remains in custody. Witnesses told the Daily Mail that the woman first approached people outside the Shaftesbury Theatre, where two men were stabbed in the back, before further attacks occurred along Endell Street.
Victims and medical response
The London Ambulance Service said it treated four patients at the scene and took them all to a major trauma centre as a priority, by road. An air ambulance landed at Trafalgar Square nearby. Two of the injured men were discharged from hospital after a short time, while two remained for treatment. Police described the injuries as not life-threatening or life-changing.
- Police called to Endell Street; surveillance footage shows suspect near Rock & Sole Plaice restaurant
- London Ambulance Service called
- Officers arrive on scene, find four men injured
- Police cordon on Endell Street lifted, normal traffic resumes
Police assessment
The Metropolitan Police said the incident is believed to be isolated and related to mental health issues. Commander Jason Stewart said in a statement:
While the investigation is still in its early stages, we are keen to reassure residents that at this stage we believe the incident is isolated and related to mental health issues.
The force said officers would remain at the scene on Endell Street and the surrounding area, with a cordon in place around Covent Garden. The cordon was lifted after approximately three hours and normal traffic resumed.
- Victim 1
- 34 years
- Victim 2
- 39 years
- Victim 3
- 42 years
- Victim 4
- 52 years
Witness accounts
Restaurant workers on Endell Street told AFP they recognised the woman as a homeless person regularly seen in the area. One worker, Arjan, said she was always on the street and never wore shoes.
We saw people lying on the ground, and the police arrived immediately. We know the woman. I don't know her name, but she is always to be found on this street. She was homeless and never wore shoes.
Another worker, Ahmed, said he saw police use a Taser to subdue the woman. The police did not confirm the Taser use.
I saw the woman being tasered by the police. That was the only way to get her to drop the knife.
A 36-year-old barber at the 2 Chairs Grooming Room told the Daily Mail that a wounded man entered the shop covered in blood with a stab wound to his back, shouting for someone to call the police. The barber said he then chased the suspect down the street, adding that the woman appeared unwell and was not speaking. Surveillance footage published by Daily Mail showed a woman walking past the Rock & Sole Plaice restaurant at 12:27, wearing brown trousers, a white t-shirt and a navy cardigan, passing several people at street tables.
Suspect details
The Metropolitan Police has not released the woman's identity or nationality. A man quoted by Ziare.com claimed to know her from a centre for homeless people and said she was Romanian, but this has not been confirmed officially by the Metropolitan Police.
