East Street Market Walworth stabbing: Dad worried for kids safety

Siraj, 46, who lives locally, was walking through East Street Market, when he saw police cars and ambulances going past.

He followed them and found two injured people lying on the ground in the market at 10.40am yesterday (November 10). 

One man was pronounced dead and two other men were taken to hospital where their conditions are unknown. 

“It was terrifying,” Siraj said, adding he felt lucky the victims were not him or his children.

He added the area had “always been safe”, but now he was worried.

“I feel unsafe to send my kids to school now,” he said.

A shop worker said an alleged knife attacker was challenged by market traders who “put him down” and then waited for police to arrive.

Wasim Hussain, who runs a shop near East Street Market, told the PA news agency: “They just put him down, and they waited for the police.

“It was the general public – they work in the market, most of them.”

A man, believed to be aged in his 60s, was arrested at the scene and taken into police custody.

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 enquiries are ongoing, nobody else is sought.

“The incident is not being treated as terrorism. Enquiries continue, led by dedicated detectives from Specialist Crime.

“I want to thank those people who have already shared their accounts of what they saw with police. I urge anyone with information or footage, or any witnesses yet to speak with police, to get in touch.”

Anyone with information or any witnesses are asked to call 101 or message @MetCC on X quoting reference 2690/10nov. To remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers.