London Metro Police said Monday (12/8) they had arrested a man after an 11-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman were stabbed in central London.
The stabbing took place in Leicester Square, a magnet for tourists who come to shop, see plays and films. The square and its surrounding area are estimated to attract 2.5 million visitors each week.
Police said both victims were taken to hospital. The extent of their injuries is not yet known.
The stabbings come as Britain reels from a week of violence between protesters shouting anti-immigrant and Islamophobic slogans and police. The violence was sparked by far-right activists using social media to spread misinformation about a stabbing that killed three women at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party.
It is not yet certain whether this stabbing is related to the chaos.
Police have been dealing with protests over the weekend, but the demonstrations have not been widespread. Ministers remain on alert, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office said, adding that the work was not yet done in dealing with the fallout from the violence. (th/uh)
