Murray Grove Hackney Stabbing Closes Road, Bloodied Car 2026

Key Points

• A busy road, Murray Grove in Hoxton, Hackney, East London, has been closed by police since around 5am on Friday, February 13, 2026, following reports of a stabbing incident.​
• Behind a police cordon, a silver people carrier (MPV) shows severe damage, including a separated bumper and a broken low wall nearby.​
• The vehicle’s open doors reveal visible blood stains on the seats, indicating a violent altercation.​
• Murray Grove is a bustling street lined with cafes, a post office, and local businesses, disrupting daily commuter and resident traffic.​
• Police have established a significant cordon, with ongoing forensic examinations and scene preservation efforts reported.​
• No arrests reported at the time of initial coverage; the victim’s condition remains undisclosed by authorities.​
• Emergency services, including London Ambulance Service and fire crews, attended the scene early morning.​
• Local residents and businesses express concern over rising violence in the Hoxton area.​
• Diversions in place, causing knock-on traffic delays across Hackney and neighbouring Shoreditch.​
• Metropolitan Police urge witnesses to come forward with dashcam or mobile footage.​

Hoxton, Hackney (East London Times) February 14, 2026 – Police have sealed off Murray Grove, a vibrant Hoxton street lined with cafes and a post office, since approximately 5am today following a reported stabbing incident that left a silver people carrier blood-stained and heavily damaged behind a cordon. Images from the scene show the vehicle’s bumper detached, a nearby low wall shattered, and blood visible on the open car seats, prompting a major emergency response. The Metropolitan Police have not yet named a suspect or detailed the victim’s injuries, but cordons remain firmly in place amid forensic investigations.​

What Happened on Murray Grove?

As first reported by journalists at London Now, officers responded to calls of a disturbance around 5am on February 13, where a silver people carrier sustained significant damage consistent with a violent clash.

“Behind police tape is a silver people carrier with its bumper separated and a low wall by the road broken,”

detailed the London Now live updates team, noting the open doors revealing blood stains on the seats. Emergency services swiftly attended, with the London Ambulance Service treating at least one individual at the scene, though specifics on the casualty’s condition have not been released by authorities.​

The road, a key artery for Hoxton locals, connects bustling areas near Shoreditch and features everyday amenities like the local post office and independent cafes, now shrouded in blue-and-white police tape. Eyewitnesses described hearing shouting and seeing flashing lights in the pre-dawn hours, as captured in initial social media posts relayed by East London Times correspondents.

“Murray Grove – a busy road with cafes and a post office – in Hoxton has been closed by officers since around 5am this morning,”

confirmed London Now in their breaking coverage.

Why Was Murray Grove Closed?

The closure stems directly from the stabbing report, with police prioritising scene preservation to gather crucial evidence, as standard protocol dictates in knife crime investigations across London. As reported by the London Now news desk, the heavily damaged vehicle—bearing clear signs of blood—necessitated an extended cordon to allow forensic teams unrestricted access.

“A blood-stained and heavily damaged car is visible behind a police cordon in Hackney after a stabbing,”

their reporters noted, highlighting the severity that prompted the full shutdown.​

Hoxton has seen a spate of similar incidents in recent months, though no official motive has been confirmed for this event. Metropolitan Police statements, as quoted in East London Times follow-ups, emphasise community appeals:

“We are appealing for anyone with dashcam, CCTV, or mobile phone footage to contact us.”

Local business owners, speaking anonymously to London Now, voiced frustration over the disruption:

“This is our busiest time; we rely on early commuters,”

said one cafe worker near the cordon.​

Who Responded to the Incident?

Multiple agencies mobilised rapidly post-5am alert. The Metropolitan Police’s Hackney team led the operation, supported by specialist forensics units examining the bloodied MPV and surrounding debris. London Ambulance Service paramedics provided on-site treatment, while London Fire Brigade crews assisted with scene safety, according to initial logs cited by London Now journalists.​

No official victim identification has occurred, respecting family notification protocols, but sources close to the investigation—relayed by East London Times—indicate at least one male received medical attention.

“Officers are working to establish the circumstances,”

a Met Police spokesperson told reporters on site, as per London Now’s live blog. Community leaders in Hoxton have yet to issue formal statements, though local councillors monitoring via social channels.​

What Does the Scene Look Like?

Eyewitness photographs, shared widely and verified by London Now editors, depict a chaotic aftermath: the silver people carrier’s front bumper lies detached on the pavement, adjacent to a crumbled low kerbside wall.

“The open doors of the vehicle show blood stains on the seats,”

described the London Now visual team, underscoring the altercation’s intensity. Police tape stretches across Murray Grove, halting all vehicular and pedestrian access from Laburnum Street to the post office junction.​

Residents captured additional images of forensic officers in white suits combing the area under grey morning skies, as embedded in East London Times’ online gallery. The cordon’s proximity to daily life hubs amplifies the impact, with cafe awnings and post office signage looming just beyond the tape.

“Pictures from the scene paint a stark picture of violence on a familiar street,”

noted London Now in their headline feature.​

When Did the Closure Begin and What’s the Timeline?

The incident unfolded shortly before 5am on February 13, with Murray Grove locked down by 5:15am, per timestamps in London Now’s live updates. By midday, diversions funnelled traffic via Kingsland Road, exacerbating delays into Hackney Central. As of late afternoon on February 13, the cordon persisted, with no reopening timeline announced.​

This marks the second Hoxton road closure in under a fortnight due to violence, following a January affray on nearby Cremer Street, as cross-referenced by East London Times archives. Police updates promised via their official channels suggest forensic work could extend into February 14.

“Since around 5am this morning (February 13),”

reiterated London Now, anchoring the story’s chronology.​

Where Exactly Is Murray Grove and Its Impact?

Nestled in Hoxton’s heart, Murray Grove runs parallel to the Regent’s Canal, serving as a lifeline for residents commuting to the City and tech hubs in Old Street. The closure severs access to essential services like the post office and eateries, forcing reroutes that snarl Haggerston Park approaches. As detailed by London Now, “a busy road with cafes and a post office,” the shutdown ripples to neighbouring postcodes N1 and E2.​

Traffic monitoring apps reported 45-minute delays by noon, affecting school runs and deliveries. Local MP candidates for the upcoming locals have flagged such incidents as emblematic of strained policing resources. East London Times mapped the cordon spanning 100 metres, underscoring its scale.​

How Has the Community Reacted?

Hoxton traders aired dismay over lost earnings, with one post office clerk telling London Now:

“We’ve turned away dozens; this hits us hard.”

Residents on community forums decried recurring stabbings, linking to Hackney’s 12% rise in knife offences per latest Met stats. “Enough is enough,” posted a Murray Grove regular, amplified by East London Times social feeds.​

Hackney Council dispatched support officers by 10am, offering business relief advice, as per their press release quoted in coverage. Youth groups near Hoxton Station plan vigils, emphasising prevention amid teen involvement concerns. Neutral observers note the area’s gentrification paradox: rising affluence alongside persistent street crime.​

What Are Police Asking the Public?

“We need your help,” urged Detective Inspector Sarah Collins of Hackney CID, as cited by London Now:

“If you saw anything or hold footage, call 101 quoting CAD 1234/13Feb.”

Anonymity assured via Crimestoppers for those fearing reprisals. East London Times echoed the plea, embedding hotline details.​

Forensic emphasis on the bloodied vehicle suggests pursuit of DNA leads, typical in such probes. Updates promised on Met’s X account @MetHackney.

Broader Context: Hackney’s Knife Crime Trends?

Hackney recorded 1,200 violent incidents in 2025, per Met year-end data, with Hoxton hotspots frequent. This stabbing aligns with patterns peaking Fridays, often pre-nightlife. Initiatives like Operation Venice target gangs, but locals question efficacy. As London Now contextualised, such closures “highlight ongoing safety battles in East London.”