Man killed as three people stabbed at London street market

One person has died and two injured following a stabbing at East Street market
One person has died and two injured following a stabbing - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph

Two men were killed in just half an hour, following separate violent attacks in South London on Sunday.

A man armed with a knife went on the rampage stabbing to death one man and injuring two others at the busy East Street Market in Walworth.

Meanwhile, one man died and two people suffered gunshot wounds following a shooting in Sydenham. The gunman remains at large.

The incidents are not thought to be connected but a Metropolitan Police commander said he understood the public would be shocked by such “senseless” acts of violence.

Police were called at 10.40am after receiving reports a man armed with a “large knife” had charged through the popular market just off Walworth Road apparently randomly attacking people.

Police were called after receiving reports a man armed with a 'large knife' had charged through a market in south east London
Police were called after receiving reports a man armed with a ‘large knife’ had charged through a market in south east London - UKNIP

Footage posted online showed paramedics performing CPR on one of the victims as shoppers, many of whom had had to flee, looked on in horror. A man in his 60s died at the scene. Two people – a man and a woman – suffered stab wounds and were taken to hospital.

A man, believed to be in his 60s, was arrested at the scene. Police have confirmed they are not treating it as terrorism and the incident is believed to be mental health related.

A fabric seller who witnessed the attack from his stall said the man appeared to lunge at people in apparently random and unprovoked attacks.

The man, 53, who asked not to be named, said: “I just saw a bloke running through the market stabbing people willy-nilly. It seemed completely at random. He went for a few people near me.

“His knife was big. I saw him stab two men. He and they seemed like complete strangers. Everyone was screaming and shouting and running. The man was running towards the end of the road. It was about 10.30am so the market was just picking up.

“I went up to the two guys who got stabbed. One of them seemed like he wasn’t in too much danger, but I knew the minute I saw the other man that he was in a bad way. I rang the police straight away.”

The road remained closed to market-goers following the attack
Police have confirmed they are not treating it as terrorism and the incident is believed to be mental health related - Geoff Pugh for the Telegraph

Benaisa Lourdjane, 57, who has lived in the area for 42 years, claimed he held the suspect down before police arrived.

“Me and a big white guy ran after the man and caught him and held him until the police came.

“I saw him stab a man who passed away. I’ve never seen the knifeman in this market before. I’ve been shaking since it all happened. Everyone was very scared.”

Another street vendor, who works at his brother’s vegetable stall, said the suspect tried to attack him.

“He tried stabbing me from about a metre away from me. I had to run away.”

A man has died and two others are injured following a shooting incident in Sydenham
A man has died and two others are injured following a shooting incident in Sydenham - UKNIP

Commander Peter Stevens said: “Tragically, a man lost his life this morning, and officers are working hard to establish exactly what happened and to provide support to his family. My thoughts and sincere sympathies are with them, and with the other people injured.

“Our investigation is at a very early stage. One man was rapidly arrested by officers responding to the incident. At present, although inquiries are ongoing, nobody else is sought.”

Officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack but say their investigation is at an early stage.

In Sydenham, police were called at 10.10am to reports of a shooting in Wells Park Road. A man died at the scene, while a woman was also discovered with gunshot wounds to her legs. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said she was taken to hospital where her condition is not thought to be life-threatening. A third person attended hospital with gunshot injuries.

Commander Stevens added: “I know people will be shocked by this senseless act of violence, all the more so on a Sunday morning in a residential area.

“I share their concerns and can assure the local community that the Met’s response, alongside our partners, has been rapid.

“We are determined to safeguard the community, to get to the bottom of what happened here and bring those responsible to justice.”