Hammersmith stabbing: 39 people arrested over attempted murder following knife attack in London

Man in his thirties left fighting for his life after incident on Fulham Palace Road

Police have arrested 39 people on suspicion of attempted murder following a stabbing in west London.

A man in his thirties was left fighting for his life after the incident on Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, in the early hours of Monday morning.

The Metropolitan Police said the suspects were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder at a property near the scene and taken into custody at several police stations.

The force was called to reports of a stabbing in the street shortly before 1am.

Police said the victim was chased by a number of male and female suspects following an altercation in a shop.

They were later seen entering a party at a nearby house.

After partygoers refused to cooperate, officers arrested 39 people.

A neighbour, Mason El Hage, 22, said he saw around 50 police officers interrogate around 30 to 40 young men and women as they were lined up on the road.

“I have never seen something like that in my life. It was very extreme in terms of the amount of people involved,” he said.

The graphic designer said he heard noise and dogs barking at around 1.30am and looked outside believing it was a drugs raid.

“After that, three riot vans rocked up and about 50 police officers marched down the road, went into the house next door and brought around 30 to 40 people outside,” he said.

“They lined them up and interrogated them for about an hour.”

He said the group, including young men and women were arrested in “single file” in a “very, very swift operation”.

Superintendent Mark Lawrence, of the Metropolitan Police, said: “What appears to have been a minor argument has resulted in a man sustaining life-threatening injuries.

“Officers were quickly on the scene and provided him with first aid prior to the arrival of our colleagues in the LAS [London Ambulance Service]. He has been taken to hospital where he continues to receive treatment for his injuries.

“Whilst it is unusual for so many people to be arrested in the early stages of an investigation such as this, due to a lack of cooperation and the necessity of securing essential evidence following a serious assault, this action was appropriate.”

Police at the scene during the day after the stabbing (The Independent)

Two knives were recovered close to the scene, the police said in a statement.

The victim was rushed to hospital and remains in a critical but stable condition.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101 quoting reference 302/31Dec. Or they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Additional reporting by PA