Amid intense security in advance of Queen Elizabeth II’s burial, a man stabbed two police officers in downtown London early on Friday. He left them hospitalised, according to police, who also ruled out terrorism.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the attacker was tasered and detained on suspicion of causing serious bodily harm and assaulting a medical professional.
Following the incident at around 6:00 am (05:00 GMT) in the nightlife district near Leicester Square, it was reported that the male was also in the hospital.
Less than a mile separates the crowded area from parliament, where the queen’s coffin is lying in state before Monday’s state funeral.
However, a Met statement states, “the incident is not being treated as related to terrorism.”
The statement said that the two officers received stab wounds and are being treated in hospital, with further updates on their condition awaited.
The force said, “enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing”.
The UK’s first state funeral in nearly six decades is set to be attended by leaders and royalty worldwide, including US President Joe Biden.
Thousands of police from across the country have been deployed to London, while 1,500 army personnel are on standby to help manage crowds and security, s tens of thousands of people queue to file past the late monarch’s coffin.
It has been lying in state in parliament’s Westminster Hall since late Wednesday, which will remain until early Monday.
London mayor Sadiq Khan called the attack on the officers “utterly appalling”.
“These brave officers were doing their duty and assisting the public at this momentous time for our country,” he said, adding “, we owe them a huge debt of gratitude”.
Khan added he was in close contact with the Met’s new Commissioner Mark Rowley, who only took up the post on Monday.