Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Manhunt after man, 57, stabbed by stranger in ‘random attack’ near Tower of London

Victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries in stabbing

Thomas Kingsley
Wednesday 12 October 2022 12:36 BST
Police are seeking this man in connection with the stabbing
Police are seeking this man in connection with the stabbing (Metropolitan Police)

A manhunt has been launched after a 57-year-old man was stabbed in a random attack in central London.

Metropolitan Police officers were called to Trinity Square in Tower Hamlets just before 4pm on Tuesday after reports a man had been stabbed.

London Air Ambulance attended the scene and the man was taken to the hospital, while the attacker is still on the run.

The Met said initial enquiries suggested the man was attacked at random, with no items stolen from the victim and no indication he knew his attacker. The injuries are not life-threatening, the police said.

It also said the incident is not being treated as terror-related but members of the public should not approach the man if he is seen.

The force has now released an image of a man they want to speak to as part of their investigation.

Detective Sergeant Ben Stephenson, from Central East CID, said: “We are taking the unusual step of releasing this image very early in our investigation. We urgently want to locate this man.

“This appears to have been a random attack. No items were taken from the victim who did not appear to know his attacker.

“While we have no definite information to suggest there is any further risk to the public, given the nature of this incident we would urge anyone who sees this man, or recognises him, to call 999 and not approach him.”

Anyone calling 999 in relation to this incident should provide the reference 6655/11OCT.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in