A man stabbed at a housing block near Regent’s Park in London has died in hospital as police surround London Central Mosque in the search for suspects, the Metropolitan Police said.
The Metropolitan Police said a man was found with stab wounds in Elmton Court, Cunningham Place, Westminster, at about 6.15pm on Thursday.
A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said the incident was linked to police activity at London Central Mosque, in Regent’s Park. A tweet from the force said the attack was not terror related.
At around 11.30pm the cordons around the mosque were moved and roads re-opened. Armed officers could also be seen leaving the scene.
Bahir Moulana told the Press Association that as he was walking towards the mosque the police were pushing people back before they closed the main gate.
With a number of armed officers at the scene, the 39-year-old said it gave him the “jitters”, especially following the recent attack at two mosques in New Zealand.
“I saw all the blue lights and my heart was in my mouth,” Moulana said.
With worshippers eventually let out of the building, he added: “There was one girl who said she saw two guys run in. Someone else told me the police were chasing them.”
Moulana said he saw two people being detained and put in handcuffs by the police at the mosque.
“The police just surrounded them. I saw that at around 7pm,” he added.
Karen Buck, Labour MP for Westminster North, said of the attack: “Deeply saddened to hear this awful news. Police have been in contact with me and we await further details.”
It said: “Officers continue to deal with a stabbing at Cunningham Place/Park Road, Westminster. We can confirm that this incident is not terror related. Searches for suspects are ongoing.”
A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at 6.15pm on Thursday, 28 March to Elmton Court, Cunningham Place NW8 following reports of a man having been attacked.
“Officers attended with LAS. A male [no further details] was found suffering from stab injuries. He is being treated at the scene – we await an update as to his condition.
“Enquiries continue to trace the suspects, who fled the scene. There have been no arrests. A crime scene is in place.”