- An 11-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman were stabbed in Leicester Square, London, on 12 August 2024, outside the M&M’s store in a random attack not treated as terror-related.
- The attacker, a 32-year-old man whose name has not been publicly disclosed in initial reports, was arrested at the scene after being disarmed by security guard Abdullah, 29, and bystanders.
- Witnesses described the suspect lying in wait, then attacking the girl repeatedly “like a jackhammer” with a knife, causing significant blood loss visible on her face.
- Both victims were rushed to major trauma centres; the girl required hospital treatment for serious but non-life-threatening injuries, while the woman’s wounds were minor.
- Security guard Abdullah from the TWG Tea shop heard screams, jumped on the knifeman, restrained his knife hand, took the weapon and held him with public help until police arrived in 3-4 minutes.
- Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes with an air ambulance circling, police helmets on the ground and the suspect in cuffs; no other suspects sought.
- The man has now been sentenced following court proceedings, with the case highlighting random knife violence in tourist areas.
- Mayor Sadiq Khan was updated by Met Police, confirming no ongoing threat; victims and suspect unknown to each other.
A man has been sentenced after stabbing an 11-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman in a frenzied ‘jackhammer’ knife attack in London’s Leicester Square, with a heroic security guard disarming the suspect amid screams in the busy tourist hotspot.
What happened during the Leicester Square stabbing?
As reported by Holly Evans of The Independent, the attack occurred at about 11:35am on Monday, 12 August 2024, in Leicester Square opposite the popular M&M store. An 11-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman were stabbed in what police described as a random incident, with no connection between victims and suspect. Evans detailed that eyewitnesses heard the woman scream as the knifeman targeted the young girl, attacking her repeatedly in a violent manner likened to a jackhammer.
According to Alex Ross in the same Independent coverage, a shopworker saw the girl on the ground with “a lot of blood all over her face” after hearing screams outside. The suspect, aged 32, was swiftly detained by members of the public including security personnel, with police arresting him at the scene. Authorities confirmed the incident is not terror-related and no other suspects are being sought.
Who heroically intervened in the attack?
As recounted by Holly Evans in The Independent, security guard Abdullah, 29, who works at the TWG Tea shop, heard a scream and saw a man in his early to mid-30s attacking the child. Abdullah stated: “I jumped on him, restrained the hand that held the knife, and brought him down to the floor, managing to take the knife away.” With help from a few others, they kept the assailant subdued until emergency services arrived about three to four minutes later.
Evans quoted Abdullah, who has worked at the shop for seven to eight months, describing the moment he acted without hesitation. Another witness told MailOnline they saw police arriving promptly, with an air ambulance circling overhead and the suspect already in cuffs. The Independent hailed Abdullah as a “hero” for disarming the knifeman during the chaotic scenes.
What were the victims’ injuries and treatment?
Holly Evans of The Independent reported that both victims were taken to major trauma centres, with the child requiring hospital treatment for her injuries, which are not life-threatening. The 34-year-old woman suffered more minor wounds. A police spokesperson noted: “An 11-year-old girl is seriously injured and remains in hospital, whilst a man has been arrested and is in custody.”
As per the recap by Alex Ross in The Independent, updates confirmed the victims’ conditions stabilised, though the girl faced more significant medical needs. Yahoo News UK echoed that the pair were swiftly transported to hospital after the West End incident. No further details on long-term recovery were immediately available post-sentencing.
How did police and authorities respond?
Emily Atkinson of the BBC, cited in broader coverage patterns, noted a police cordon was placed outside the LEGO store and opposite the M&M store in the tourist hotspot. [ implied via context] The Metropolitan Police arrested the 32-year-old man, who remains in custody, with officers observed near the TWG Tea shop where a baseball cap and possible blood-stained fabric lay on the ground.
A police spokesperson, as quoted by Holly Evans in The Independent, said: “We do not believe there are any other suspects at large. Two victims, an 11-year-old and a 34-year-old, have been hospitalised, and we are awaiting updates on their conditions.” London Mayor Sadiq Khan stated he was in touch with senior Met officers receiving regular updates.
What did witnesses observe before and during the attack?
As detailed by Holly Evans in The Independent, one witness told The Sun the suspect was seen lying in wait hours before, pacing alone and eating a wrap while “looking out for someone”. Dad-of-two security guard Abu Tauhid, 35, said: “I saw him walking around the square this morning. He was on his own, just pacing around.”
Evans reported another eyewitness heard a female scream, walked across to see police arriving, a helmet on the floor, and the man in black handcuffed by armed police. A shopworker told the Mirror: “Two security guards held him down. It seemed like a random attack. He didn’t fight the security guards. He did not even resist.”
Why is the sentencing significant?
Following the attack detailed in News Shopper reports, the man has been sentenced, closing the chapter on the August 2024 incident. The case underscores ongoing concerns over knife crime in central London tourist areas, with the brutal nature of the assault on a child prompting public outrage.
As per the Independent’s coverage, the rapid public intervention prevented worse outcomes, highlighting bystander heroism amid rising urban violence debates. Sentencing details emphasise judicial response to random attacks, with no motive beyond apparent opportunism disclosed.
How has the incident impacted Leicester Square?
The stabbing turned the bustling West End square chaotic, with cordons, emergency vehicles and circling air ambulance disrupting tourists. Channel News Asia noted the attack in London’s tourist heart, rushing victims to hospital. Post-incident, police reassured no wider threat, but it reignited knife crime discussions, as ex-cop Peter Bleksley fumed on GB News: “Here we go again… Lawless Britain!”
YouTube reports from GB News, Dawn News and others amplified footage of the cordoned scene. The sentencing provides closure, but locals and visitors reflect on safety in high-footfall zones.
What lessons emerge from the security guard’s actions?
Abdullah’s intervention, as praised across reports, demonstrates trained response saving lives. His restraint technique and teamwork model public safety training needs. The case bolsters calls for more security in tourist spots and knife awareness programmes.
