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London travel news LIVE: Central line delays after 'casualty on tracks'

The Central Line had severe delays on Friday as emergency services responded to a casualty on the track.

The line reopened after an earlier suspension but is now running with delays while Bethnal Green Tube station is now back open.

Tickets are being accepted on London Buses, Elizabeth Line and London Overground.

RMT action could also see Oxford Circus close at short notice between 10pm on Friday and 6am on Sunday.

A good service was being reported on the rest of TfL network apart from the Northern line where there are minor delays due to a shortage of trains.

Follow latest updates below...

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Live updates

Potential track problem causes delays

Thameslink warned passengers of delays between Norwood Junction and London Bridge because of “a possible track defect”.

They said services between the two stations are being run at a reduced speed and Network Rail had been asked to “carry out a safety inspection”.

The problem is also affecting Southern trains on the route.

Bakerloo running a good service after earlier delays

TfL said there was now a good service on the Bakerloo Line after earlier delays.

Train shortage causes Northern Line delays

TfL say there are “minor delays” on the Northern Line due a shortage of trains.

Two days of planned strike action at Heathrow called off for urgent talks

Two days of planned strike action at Heathrow Airport have been called off.

A spokesman for the union Unite said walkouts set for May 7 and 8 were off to allow for “last-minute” discussions.

But it warned other planned walkouts on May 9-13 could still go ahead depending on the outcome of the talks.

Hundreds of workers in passenger services, who help travellers catch connecting flights, trolley operations and security guards, agreed to strike after plans to outsource their jobs.

Fire Brigade warns of impact on traffic around Paddington after blaze brought under control.

London Fire Brigade warned traffic was “likely to remain impacted” after its crews left the scene of a hotel blaze in Paddington.

Praed Street was originally closed to traffic between Spring Street and London Street but has now reopened.

DLR no longer part suspended

Transport for London is no longer listing delays on the Docklands Light Railway.

Severe delays on DLR

DLR passengers face delays between Bank and Lewisham due to a power supply problem in the Bank area. Good service remains on all other DLR routes.

Morning Crescent station has reopened

Morning Crescent station has reopened after it was briefly closed earlier due to a faulty lift.

DLR now part suspended

The Docklands Light Railway is now part suspended.

Transport for London said there is no service between Westferry, Bank and Tower Gate due to a power supply problem in the Bank area.

There is a good service on all other DLR routes.

Old Street no longer closed

Old Street Tube station is no longer being flagged as closed by TfL.

As of 1.40pm TfL had not included it on their list. It had earlier been closed due to an escalator fault.

Live London Underground, Elizabeth Line, Overground, DLR and Tram status updates

London travel news LIVE: Tube stations forced to shut as 24-hour strike hits the Underground

LIVE – Updated at 06:37

Several London Underground stations are closed due to workers striking while two Tube lines were halted because of a casualty on the track.

Transport for London said four stations were closed on the network at 3.50pm on Friday due to the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association action.

They are staging a fresh 24-hour strike in a dispute over terms and conditions from Friday and are banning overtime until May 5.

The union said the action was likely to cause Tube stations to close at the last minute, including into Saturday morning, but Transport for London said there will not be significant disruption.

Those closed are marked Pimlico, and Regents Park.

Aldgate, Caledonian Road, Bermondsey, Barbican, Temple, Vauxhall and Piccadilly Circus had also been closed but have now reopened.

Camden Town has reopened as well after a power failure.

There is, as of 8pm, a good service on all lines apart from the Northern which had minor delays.

Follow latest updates below...

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Tube station reopens

Tufnell Park Tube station has now reopened, TfL has said.

That leaves Pimlico and Regent’s Park still closed, alongside Kentish Town, which is closed for engineering works.

Severe delays on Northern Line

There are severe delays between Camden Town and Battersea due to an earlier fire alert at Brent Cross.

Three Central London Tube stations remain closed

Three central London Tube stations remain closed this evening due to strikes.

These are Pimlico, Regent’s Park and Tufnell Park.

Kentish Town remains closed for engineering works.

Chorleywood, which had earlier been closed, has since reopened.

Highgate station reopens

Highgate station has reopened, Transport for London has said.

It had been closed earlier on Friday.

Meanwhile, the previously reported delays on the Victoria line have cleared up.

Severe delays on the Victoria line

Transport for London is now reporting severe delays on the Victoria line.

A signal failure at Walthamstow Central has led to the issues on the stretch back to Seven Sisters.

Tufnell Park station closed

Tufnell Park station has been closed due to strike action by station staff.

Transport for London will look to reopen it later today.

Camden Town back open

Camden Town Tube station has reopened after being forced to close on Friday due to a power failure.

It means only four stations are now closed, including Kentish Town which is set to be out of action for some time due to works.

Minor delays on Victoria Line

The Victoria Line is experiencing minor delays between Seven Sisters and Walthamstow Central due to a signal failure.

Severe weather may impact rail journeys this weekend

Trains running across Southern, Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Great Northern networks may be delayed this weekend due to severe weather, National Rail has warned.

Disruption is expected from Saturday evening until 12pm on Sunday.

Severe delays on Piccadilly Line

The Piccadilly Line has been hit with severe delays from Acton Town to Heathrow/Uxbridge due to a track fault.

Bermondsey Tube station reopen

Bermondsey station has now reopened having been closed all morning.

Transport for London confirmed the news at around 11.45am.

It means that three stations are now closed due to the strikes, Pimlico, Highgate and Regent’s Park.

Lines part suspended after incident at Acton

The District line is part suspended between Turnham Green and Ealing Broadway westbound due to a track fault at Acton Town.

The same issue has also led to the Piccadilly line being part suspended between Acton Town and South Harrow / Northfields.

Minor delays now on four lines

The Hammersmith and City line is no longer showing severe delays.

Transport for London live updates are now showing minor delays on that line as well as the District, Metropolitan and Piccadilly.

There is a good service on all other lines.

Vauxhall now also reopen

Vauxhall has been named as the latest London Tube station to reopen.

The Victoria line hub was one of those to close on Friday morning due to ongoing industrial action.

Temple Tube station back open

Transport for London has confirmed that Temple Tube station has reopened after being closed.

It means that six are now shut due to the strike.

Which stations are currently closed?

With Barbican reopening, it leaves as those closed: Bermondsey, Caledonian Road, Highgate, Pimlico, Regent’s Park, Temple and Vauxhall.

Camden Town and Kentish Town are also closed but not due to strike action.

Barbican Tube station has reopened

Barbican Tube station, which had closed due to ongoing industrial action, has now reopened.

Transport for London confirmed the news at 9.40am.

Lifts out of action at St Pancras

Step-free access is not available to the Thameslink platforms due to faulty lifts at St Pancras International.

Two stations have reopened

Transport for London has said that Piccadilly Circus and Aldgate Tube stations had been closed but have now reopened.

District line no longer suspended

The District line is now also running with delays.

The line had been part suspended earlier due to the aftermath of the casualty incident.

Live updates now state that the line has severe delays.

Hammersmith and City no longer suspended

The Hammersmith and City line is no longer and running, albeit with severe delays.

“Severe delays due to an earlier customer incident,” a TfL update states.

Now severe delays on the Piccadilly line

There are now severe delays on the Piccadilly line.

The section from King's Cross to Acton Town westbound is affected due to an earlier signal failure at Holborn.

Delays on Circle line due to 'earlier customer incident'

There are currently minor delays on the Circle line due to an earlier customer incident, TfL has said.

Bermondsey now also closed

Bermondsey Tube station is now also closed, TfL has said.

It brings the number of stations closed to ten.

Nine stations closed due to strike action

Transport for London said these nine stations are all out of action due to ongoing strike action.

Barbican, Caledonian Road, Camden Town, Highgate, Kentish Town, Pimlico, Regent’s Park, Temple and Vauxhall.

All nine are within a reasonable walking distance of another Tube station.

Tickets will be accepted for other routes and on buses.

What is the strike?

London Underground customer service managers are to stage a fresh strike in a dispute over terms and conditions.

Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) will walk out on Friday, April 26 and then ban overtime until May 5.

The union said the action is likely to cause Tube stations to close at the last minute, including into Saturday morning.

The workers held a previous strike earlier this month.

TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: “It’s clear that our customer service managers’ strike on April 10 made a real impact, many stations shut at short notice, and we had overwhelming support from the public.”

See the full article here.

Which lines are closed

On the District line there is no service between Tower Hill and Upminster. There are severe delays on the rest of the line.

The Hammersmith and City line has no service.

There are now minor delays on the Northern and Metropolitan lines.

Tickets valid on local buses

Transport for London has said it will be accepting tickets for the Hammersmith and City line on bus routes while it is suspended.

The line has been fully suspended since 7.26am due to a casualty on the track.

District line part suspended

There is currently no service between Tower Hill and Upminster - this is because emergency services are responding to a casualty on the track.

There are also severe delays on the rest of the line.

Minor delays to Northern line

There are currently minor delays because of a shortage of trains.

Hammersmith & City line suspended

There is no service on the Hammersmith & City line because of the casualty on the tracks which has affected District line trains.

Good morning

Good morning and welcome to The Evening Standard’s live travel blog.

Stay with us for transport and road updates throughout the day.

London Underground 101: A guide to getting the Tube in London

Editor's Note

If you've never visited London before, navigating its iconic Tube system can be either an adventure or a confused mess of Tube lines, fare types and labyrinthian stations.

You might not have initially thought so, but there's a lot more to it than just getting to a station, hopping on a train and then exiting. Thankfully, TPG has your back, and we created this guide to the London Underground.

Let's dive in.

Related: The 23 best hotels in London

Paying for the Tube and how to save money

First of all, let's make sure the price is right.

There are many ways you can pay to travel around London via the Tube.

You can buy paper tickets from the ticket machines at each Tube, Overground and Docklands Light Railway station. One-way, return, daily and weekly travel cards are available. If you're buying tickets for single journeys, you'll probably spend more than you really need to if you take the Tube more than once.

The most convenient payment method, though, is to use your contactless payment card. Simply touch it on the yellow card readers found at Tube entrances and some platforms to pay for your ride.

These card readers also work with prepaid Oyster cards sold at all Tube and Overground stations, plus most Elizabeth Line stations and select newsstands and visitor centers throughout London, for 7 British pounds ($8.86) each. If you choose to purchase and pay via an Oyster card, you can add money to the card using the ticket machines found inside Underground stations. You can then purchase daily or weekly travel cards covering various zones.

Regardless of how you pay for your ride, you'll use the same process for confirming your payment. Use your phone (for contactless payments) or debit, credit or Oyster card to tap in and out at the barriers of your start and end stations. Remember that card readers aren't always connected to gates and are sometimes free-standing, so make sure you locate one and tap in and out to avoid getting charged for traveling through all nine zones.

To see the full details and decide exactly which payment method is right for you, check out the Transport for London website .

Daily limits

If you use an Oyster card or contactless payment to pay for your Tube journey, there is a cap on how much you can be charged, depending on the zones you travel in or between.

Say, for example, you only travel within Zones 1 and 2. For a full day of travel via the London Underground in those two zones, you'll pay 8.50 pounds (around $10.76).

You can view the prices for other zones on the TfL website .

Child discounts

All children under the age of 11 can travel on the London Underground for free, and children between 11 and 15 receive discounted fares (as outlined below). To ensure that you get a discount, you should talk to a member of the London Underground staff inside the station.

How much does travel on the London Underground cost?

The London Underground operates a peak and off-peak fare system. The amount you're charged depends on which zones you're traveling in or between.

Peak fares are charged Monday to Friday between the hours of 6:30 and 9:30 a.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. Off-peak fares are charged at all other times and if you're traveling from a station outside of Zone 1 into Zone 1 between 4 and 7 p.m. on weekdays.

Journeys on the Tube and the Elizabeth Line to and from Heathrow Airport (LHR) are always considered peak fares if you start, end or go through Zone 1.

Travel cards

Peak and off-peak travel cards are also available in the Tube stations' kiosks. The cost of travel cards varies depending on the zones you travel in. Paying with an Oyster card or via contactless payment is usually cheaper.

An Anytime Day travel card can be used for the entire day that you purchase it until 4:30 a.m. the next day.

An Off-peak Day travel card is valid for an entire weekday from 9:30 a.m. — or any time on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays — until 4:30 a.m. the following day.

How to read the London Tube map

The London Underground map is divided into nine zones. The center of London — along with its most popular tourist attractions and iconic hotels — is in Zone 1. The outer parts of the city are in Zone 9. The zones are serviced by 11 tube lines and a handful of other rail services identified by color.

The London Underground lines are as follows:

• Bakerloo (brown) : From Harrow & Wealdstone in northwest London to Elephant & Castle south of the River Thames
• Central (red) : From West Ruislip in west London to Epping in east London
• Circle (yellow) : From Hammersmith to Edgware Road and then back to Edgware Road in a loop around central London
• District (green) : From Upminster in east London to Richmond in south London
• Hammersmith & City (pink) : From Hammersmith to Barking in east London
• Jubilee (gray) : From Stanmore to Stratford in east London
• Metropolitan (maroon) : From Aldgate to Amersham
• Northern (black) : From Edgware in the northern suburbs to South Wimbledon in southwest London
• Piccadilly (dark blue) : From Cockfosters via Hammersmith to Heathrow Terminals 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; the Piccadilly Line has two branches, which split at Acton Town
• Victoria (light blue) : From Walthamstow Central in north London through central London to Brixton
• Waterloo & City (turquoise) : From Bank to Waterloo Station

Though not technically Tube lines, you'll also find the following rail routes on the Tube map:

• Overground (orange — double stripe) : From Watford Junction in the northwest to Croydon in the south and from Barking in the east of London to Richmond and Wandsworth in the southwest
• Docklands Light Railway (turquoise — double stripe) : From Bank in the City to Lewisham in east London and Bank to Woolwich Arsenal; there are further routes from Tower Gateway to Beckton, Stratford to Lewisham or Canary Wharf, and Stratford International to Woolwich Arsenal
• Elizabeth Line (purple — double stripe) : From Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east

Taking the Tube to Heathrow Airport

Depending on where you're traveling from, the Tube or Elizabeth Line will likely be your cheapest and most direct route to Heathrow Airport.

You can learn more about the best ways to reach Heathrow here .

While there's extra space on the Piccadilly Line for suitcases, trains on other lines aren't always as accommodating. Either way, traveling with multiple pieces of luggage at peak times can make for a stressful and awkward journey for you and those around you.

It's not always possible to get to Heathrow without getting on the Tube during peak times. If possible, try to leave earlier to avoid rush hour and have a far more comfortable journey.

How to plan your trip

TfL provides a range of free Tube maps that are available in most Tube stations and some small shops to help you plan your journey.

You can also use TfL's journey planner . Add in your start and end destinations, and the site will work out the nearest Tube stations and what changes you may need to take. The site will also suggest bus routes if they're faster, and it'll advise on journey times.

You can filter its suggestions to only include buses if you wish to avoid the Tube; you can also filter for routes that are accessible, routes near taxi ranks or routes that have the fewest changes or least amount of walking.

In terms of apps, many Londoners tend to use Citymapper ( iOS / Android ) or Google Maps ( iOS / Android ), both of which will provide you with up-to-date Tube suggestions, walking routes and bus options.

How early does the Tube run?

The London Underground's opening times can differ depending on the line you want to take and where you're starting your trip. Generally, though, Tube trains begin operation around 5 a.m. from Monday to Saturday, with slightly reduced operating hours on Sundays.

How late does the Night Tube run?

On Friday and Saturday nights, you can ride the Night Tube when the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines run for 24 hours. Additionally, the London Overground operates a 24-hour service on these days between New Cross Gate and Highbury & Islington.

The Night Tube is charged at off-peak rates.

The quickest route might not be the obvious one

If you're not used to London, you might think you need to take the Tube to get anywhere. The Tube is your best bet for longer journeys in and out of the city. However, shorter journeys in central London will likely be quicker on foot.

When planning your journeys, the TfL website has a handy box to help you determine which routes are quicker to walk.

By walking shorter routes, you'll not only save time but will also breathe in less thick, soupy air. The views are guaranteed to be an improvement, too.

Travel etiquette on the London Underground

Polite behavior when traveling on the London Underground can pretty much be simplified into three main rules.

Escalator etiquette

Perhaps the most important rule of Tube stations is to stand on the right on the escalators. This allows those in a rush to glide down the escalators in a flash to avoid waiting an extra minute for the next train.

Mindful Tubing

Everyone getting the Tube has somewhere to be and is likely in a rush. Letting all passengers get off your carriage before boarding will enable a smoother, quicker and more pleasant journey for everyone.

Additionally, don't hog seats if someone in need, such as elderly people, pregnant women or people with disabilities, would benefit more than you by sitting down. Checking if someone needs your seat will go a long way in making someone's journey, if not their entire day, better.

As for rides during busy commuting hours, remember that squishing as tightly as possible into the area closest to the doors doesn't benefit anyone. Move down the train. It makes for a more comfortable, less sweaty journey for everyone.

In general, queueing is somewhat of a national sport for Brits. We do it anywhere and everywhere, and anyone who fails to queue correctly will receive passive-aggressive eye rolls and tuts from all who witness it.

This also applies to the Tube, whether you're waiting to get through the barriers, waiting to get on or waiting for the stairs, escalators or elevators to leave the station. Save yourself the glares and cranky tuts of fellow passengers by falling into line.

Bottom line

Love it or hate it, London would come to a standstill without the Tube. Whether it's your first time in the capital or you're a seasoned Londoner, the above tips will serve you well. Remember, above all else, to stand to the right.

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How to use the London Underground

Despite Londoners’ moans, it’s a good service considering it’s the world’s oldest underground system.

There are 12 separate colour-coded lines (including the Docklands Light Railway) that run in northbound, southbound, eastbound or westbound directions.

You’re never far from an underground station in central London – they’re pretty easy to spot.

The new Elizabeth line is actually a train running east to west through central London.

Tube maps and journey planners

View a Tube map or download a PDF version .

Free pocket-sized tube maps are available from underground stations.

The TFL Go app has a ‘live’ tube map, which makes it easy to locate your closest tube station (if location services is turned on), and find the next departure times.

The CityMapper app has a tube map which shows the zones.

Journey planners

If you can’t work out which route to take by looking at the tube map, or if you want door-to-door instruction, see our guide to planning journeys in London .

How to find the right platform

The direction will normally be obvious by looking at the tube map, but if it’s not — here’s what to do:

• Before going through the ticket barriers, or just after the barriers at some stations, look at the destinations list signs to find the tube station you’re travelling to.
• Your destination will be listed on a sign that gives you the direction (eastbound, westbound etc.) at the top.
• Follow the signs and check you’re on the right platform by looking at the destination list on the platform wall.

If you do travel the wrong way, don’t worry, just get off the train and change platform. You won’t pay anything unless you go through the ticket barriers and leave the station.

Some lines have different branches. For example, the westbound Piccadilly line goes to Heathrow, Rayner’s Lane or Uxbridge. Check the display on the platform to make sure you take the right train. You don’t want to end up in Rayner’s Lane if you’re catching a flight from Heathrow.

Tube timetables

The tube does not run to a strict timetable during the day, but you won’t wait long. Most tube trains within central London run every few minutes or so.

If you need more precise information on departure or arrival times, the TfL Journey Planner has a ‘leaving’ or ‘arriving’ option.

Tube first and last times

The first tube trains start running from around 5.00–5.30am. The last tube trains leave central London around 12.30am (see the Night Tube below). Most trains start at least an hour later on Sundays.

The exact start and finish times vary according to each individual underground line. Posters at tube stations give the first and last train times from that station. Alternatively, check the tube timetables on the TfL website for the exact times.

If you need to travel after the tubes have finished, take a bus . Some routes run for 24 hours. If they don’t, there are special night buses.

The Night Tube

There is currently a 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays on the following lines:

Some stations on these lines are not served, so check the TfL website before travelling.

The rush hour

There is a morning and evening peak on the underground when the tube trains, tube stations and platforms are extremely busy. The peak times for travel are roughly 7.45am–8.30am and 5.00pm–7.00pm Monday–Friday.

During these busy times you won’t have much room to stand and you definitely won’t find a seat, especially in central London. If you can, wait until after 9.30am before starting your journey.

The TfL Go app tells you if a station is busy or quiet.

Check for delays

You can check if the underground is working normally or if there are any delays on certain lines on the status updates section of the TfL website.

Check for planned engineering work at the weekend

The underground network is being modernised. Engineering work is carried out at weekends and Bank Holidays and sometimes whole sections of the tube are out of action.

When this happens, a replacement bus service run and underground tickets/passes/oyster cards are accepted on the bus. The replacement buses follow the route of the underground line, stopping outside each station, but it might be quicker to travel to your destination by another bus route.

Check TfL’s service update  if you travel by tube or the ELizabeth line at the weekend, especially if you plan to travel to or from Heathrow airport.

Related pages

• Guide to London transport tickets and passes
• Underground tickets and Travelcards
• Oyster cards
• Contactles cards

Last updated: 14 February 2023

Getting around London

• How to use the London underground
• How to use London buses
• London cycle hire scheme
• Walking in London
• London trains
• London taxis & minicabs

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• London transport zones

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All the London Marathon 2024 road closures and traffic disruption you need to know

Heading into town this Sunday? Here’s where to avoid

The London marathon happens (pretty much) every year, but somehow that doesn’t stop it coming as a huge surprise to even the most seasoned city-dwellers.

So if you’re not already clued up, please be warned that this Sunday April 21 , you’ll find 48,000 sweat-drenched runners stampeding through the city, trailing cheering fans, road closures, traffic restrictions in their wake. If your weekend plans involve a pleasant stroll through Blackheath, motoring over Tower Bridge, or picnicking in St James’ Park, please read on. Knowledge is power. 

RECOMMENDED:

Here’s the full guide to the 2024 London Marathon Check out the 2024 route here

What roads will be closed for the London marathon 2024?

This handy map marks the overall route.

But the roads on it aren’t necessarily closed all day. Instead, their closing times are staggered as the runners make their way from Greenwich to central London, meaning that an afternoon browsing the chichi shops of Blackheath is far from off the cards. Read on for a full breakdown of road closures and times: Charlton Way, Greenwich: 4am to 1pm Shooters Hill Road: 4am to 1pm St John’s Park: 7am to 1pm Charlton Park Road: 7am to 1pm Old Dover Road: 7am to 1pm Little Heath: 7am to 1pm Charlton Park Lane: 7am to 1pm Artillery Place: 7am to 1pm John Wilson Street: 7am to 1pm Woolwich Church Street: 7am to 2pm Woolwich Road: 7am to 2pm Trafalgar Road: 7am to 3pm Creek Road: 7am to 3pm Evelyn Street: 8am to 4pm Surrey Quays Road: 8am to 4pm Salter Road: 8am to 4pm Brunel Road: 8am to 4pm Jamaica Road: 8am to 4pm Tower Bridge: 8am to 7pm The Highway (south side): 8am to 7pm Narrow Street: 8am to 7pm Westferry Road: 8am to 7pm East Ferry Road: 8am to 7pm Marsh Wall: 8am to 7pm North Colonnade: 8am to 7pm Poplar High Street: 8am to 7pm Commercial Road: 8am to 7pm The Highway (north side): 8am to 7pm Byward Street: 7.30am to 8.30pm Upper Thames Street: 7.30am to 8.30pm Victoria Embankment: 7.30am to 8.30pm Birdcage Walk (westbound): 6am on April 21 to May 18 Birdcage Walk (eastbound): 7.30am on April 22 to May 18

What bus changes will be happening?

Needless to say, there’ll be quite a bit of disruption for London buses too. Buses travelling on routes affected by the marathon will either be diverted, or will not run for that part of the journey. Visit tfl.gov.uk/bus/status for full info.

What about the Tube, London Underground and the DLR?

If you want to get somewhere fast on Sunday, these services are your best bet. The tube, DLR and overground will all be running extra services to cope with the increased demand. But do bear in mind that services with stops near the Marathon route are likely to be busy: especially the Jubilee, Circle and District lines, and the DLR.

ICYMI: everything you need to know about the 2024  wave times

Plus, all of   the celebrities   running in the 2024 race

• Alice Saville Contributing writer
• Chiara Wilkinson Features Editor, UK

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Boy, 14, dies after ‘horrific’ sword attack in north-east London

Man arrested after attack near Hainault tube station which left four others, including two police officers, injured

• Hainault attack – live updates

An attack by a man armed with a sword has left a 14-year-old boy dead and four others injured in east London, including two police officers who sustained serious wounds.

The Metropolitan police said the man, 36, had been arrested after they were called “to reports of a vehicle being driven into a house” in Thurlow Gardens, near Hainault underground station, shortly before 7am on Tuesday.

The man is believed to have then stabbed people during an incident lasting about 20 minutes in and around the tube station.

The Metropolitan police said the suspect was arrested after being Tasered, 22 minutes after the first 999 emergency call.

Residents said they were woken by screams and shouts and a number of emergency vehicles rushing to the scene.

The Guardian understands police are investigating whether the suspect has a history of mental ill health.

Ch Supt Stuart Bell said: “The events of this morning are truly horrific. I cannot even begin to imagine how those affected must be feeling.”

Bell confirmed the boy died as a result of his injuries: “It is with great sadness that I confirm one of those injured in the incident, a [14-year-old] boy, has died from their injuries.

“He was taken to hospital after being stabbed and sadly died a short while after. The child’s family are being supported firstly by my local officers and now with some specialist officers.”

Bell said the injuries suffered by two police officers were “significant” and would require surgery but were not life threatening. Bell said two of the three members of the public injured were still in hospital.

He commended the “incredible bravery” of emergency service workers who rushed to the scene.

After an assessment by specialist officers, the Met said it did not believe the incident was terrorism-related and believed the suspect acted alone.

Mobile phone footage of the incident showed a casually dressed man with a long knife, resembling a sword.

The incident happened during morning rush hour and Hainault underground station was closed.

Police said they believed a vehicle was driven into a house. This was then followed by a man carrying out a series of marauding attacks with a sword, with victims selected seemingly at random.

In one street, Laing Close, a black van was visible with its front window damaged and back doors open.

One resident, from Laing Close, said she saw a man standing outside her home next to a body and brandishing a sword in front of two unarmed police officers and an ambulance.

“He was wielding his sword trying to attack the police but then they sprayed him and he ran away,” she said. “He was shouting at the police: ‘Do you believe in God?’, also at the ambulance.

“We were very scared and trying to hide and not show ourselves through the window, because he was standing right next to our house.”

Another witness said he heard shrieking before seeing a man dressed in yellow jumping over some fences at about 7am.

“I heard shouting, I heard shrieking – I thought: ‘Who would be shrieking at this time in the morning?’ The shrieking sounded like the police – you know when they are ordering someone to stop or to get on their knees or something – it was like that. It was like: ‘Stop where you are, put that down, put that down’ – that kind of thing.

“I looked out the back window because the noise was coming from back there, I saw a bloke dressed in yellow jumping over some fences … then he went down an alley like he was going back on to the street again.

“I saw a policeman and policewoman – normal coppers with the short-sleeved shirts – who chased after him and they were shouting for him to put it down.”

The incident came 48 hours before voting begins in London’s mayoral election in which crime is a key issue.

Bell said: “I know the families of those involved, the local and wider community and many across London will want to know why this terrible incident occurred.

“And it’s our job to find that out and we will. I’m committed to providing those answers when we can and I would ask for some patience while this important work is carried out.”

The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, said: “This is a shocking incident. My thoughts are with those affected and their families. I’d like to thank the emergency services for their ongoing response, and pay tribute to the extraordinary bravery shown by police on the scene. Such violence has no place on our streets.”

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am absolutely devastated by the news from Hainault this morning. I remain in constant contact with the commissioner. A man has been arrested and the area secured. The police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. There will be additional reassurance patrols in the area.

“The police officers and emergency services showed the best of our city – running towards danger to protect others and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”

The home secretary, James Cleverly, said: “I am being regularly updated about the incident at Hainault station this morning. My thoughts are with those who have been affected and thank you to the emergency responders. I would urge people not to speculate or share footage online and provide relevant information to the police.”

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Hainault latest: Suspect in hospital after boy, 14, killed in sword attack

A boy, 14, has died after a man with a sword went on a rampage near Hainault Tube station in northeast London. Two police officers also suffered significant injuries, with two other people taken to hospital. A 36-year-old has been arrested - he too is in hospital.

Tuesday 30 April 2024 21:26, UK

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• A man with a sword attacked the public and police officers near Hainault Tube station in northeast London at around 7am this morning
• Boy, 14, dies from injuries | Four others in hospital, including two officers with 'significant injuries'
• New pictures show police confronting sword-wielding stabbing suspect - 36-year-old was arrested and is in hospital
• Watch : Suspected attacker wielding a sword | Moment suspect arrested
• Witnesses :  'I can't stop picturing the boy's face' | There was a stand-off down alley - then woman was stabbed | Police 'tasered suspect'

We will bring you further updates on this story as they happen in the coming days. 

Until then, here is a reminder of what we know so far: 

• A 14-year-old boy was killed in a sword attack in Hainault, northeast London, at around 7am;
• A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder;
• The suspect is in hospital, having suffered injuries when his van was driven into a building, police say;
• The Met Police was initially called to reports of a vehicle being driven into a house;
• The suspect was carrying a sword and officers tasered and arrested him, 22 minutes after the first call;
• The man was seen shouting "Is there anybody here who believes in God?";
• Two officers suffered wounds requiring surgery, while two members of the public were injured. Some of those injured have knife wounds;
• Police don't believe the attack was targeted or terror-related;
• A witness who says he saw the attack said he can't stop envisioning the boy's face.

Donna Sinclaire, chief executive of the Options For Change charity, says of today's attack that "this sort of thing doesn't happen in a day" and there is "usually something that leads to it". 

"What we're finding in our communities, talking to people, is often this is the end result of collective system failures," she tells Sky's UK Tonight programme. 

These are failures to "influence joint working amongst the agencies who are supposed to safeguard perpetrators in terms of giving them the support they need so they are not available to go out and do what they do", she says.

Dr Mark Prince, founder of Kiyan Prince Foundation, has personal experience of knife crime.

His 15-year-old son, Kiyan, was stabbed to death in 2006. 

The campaigner says he feels "uncomfortable" simply calling the victim a "14-year-old boy", saying "he's a person, he's got a name". 

"I want to let them know from my heart, from my family... our heart goes out to them at this time," he says.

"I know this journey they're on. It is a horrible journey."

Asked by our presenter Sarah-Jane Mee how a sword could have got onto the streets, he says this is not the main issue.

He argues that criminals will use kitchen knives, camping knives and even guns, and all of these are accessible. 

Dr Prince also mentions research by his foundation recently, which found 56% of young people in England worry they'll be threatened with a knife.

A further 50% worry they'll be mugged in their local area.

Our presenter Sarah-Jane Mee points out that while violent crime is going down, knife crime - particularly among young men - is going up. 

Patrick Green, chief executive of Ben Kinsella Trust, says young people are "scared of what they're seeing around them, scared by the murders and prevalence of knife crime". 

He says knife crime may have only gone up by 7% in the past year, but it has almost doubled in 10 years. 

"This has been going the wrong way for some time," he says. 

He adds that "most of this is avoidable" and the UK has "not got on top of this issue". 

"Why are we not doing this, and why are we letting knife crime just run away over the last couple of years?" he asks.

In England and Wales (excluding Greater Manchester) last year, there were close to 50,000 incidents of knife crime. 

That's an increase of 7% last year compared with 2022.

Young men are most likely to get stabbed to death.

Just over 70% of stabbing deaths are men between the ages of 18 and 24.

Kitchen knives are by far and away the most common weapons used, followed by machetes. 

Mandy Jamieson, whose 16-year-old son was stabbed to death, tells Sky News that "my son dies every day I wake up". 

She says this is the same for every grieving mother. 

"It's the same thing every day," she adds. 

Asked whether there need to be further deterrents, she says: "The kids know that if you get arrested, you'll only do 18 months.

"There is no deterrent for knife crime."

Our special programme turns to the UK's knife crime epidemic, and the ease of access of the type of dangerous weapons used in today's attack.

It can take less than a minute to find and buy a 38cm machete online, our national correspondent Tom Parmenter says.

These weapons are "readily available to people who want them" and young criminals like the "appeal of intimidating weapons". 

He speaks to former gang boss Sicarius McGrath, who says the machetes can be concealed while people are out and about. 

The criminals will "wear two pairs of trousers" with the machete "concealed down the leg", he says.

Mr McGrath argues that young people in danger of falling into a life of crime, or who are already affected, need to be educated and that "mediation" should be brought to the table.

We're getting the latest from our correspondent at the scene, Matthew Thompson, who has a small update from police. 

They say some of the four people in hospital after today's attack "sustained knife wounds".

A major police investigation is ongoing at the scene.

Blue and white-coated forensics officers are still there and cordons are blocking off a wide area. 

"There is no sense the investigation is winding down," Thompson says, adding police are needing to comb a large area for clues.

The attack happened in Hainault, northeast London, across three roads near the Tube station.

Police were called at about 7am to reports of a stabbing and a vehicle crash.

Footage shows a man attacking a person on Laing Close.

More footage shows him crouching outside a house further towards the main road. 

He was still carrying a knife as police pursued him towards Franklyn Gardens.

It was there he began jumping into people's back gardens.

He was then tasered and apprehended on Thurlow Gardens.

A special edition of  The UK Tonight With Sarah-Jane Mee  is running on Sky News now.

You can watch on the stream above or follow our live updates here.

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Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring other people

LONDON — A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a east London suburb, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring four others, authorities said Tuesday.

A 36-year-old man was arrested at the scene, police said, adding that the incident is not being treated as terror-related or a “targeted attack.”

Two police officers were in hospital being treated for stab wounds. Two other people were also injured.

The Metropolitan Police said they were called early Tuesday to reports of a vehicle being driven into a house in a residential street and people being stabbed close to the Hainault underground station.

Video on British media showed a man in a yellow hoodie holding a long sword or knife walking near houses in the area.

Witnesses say they heard police shouting to the suspect urging him to put down the weapon as they chased after him.

“This must have been a terrifying incident for those concerned,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said. “I know the wider community will be feeling shock and alarm. People will want to know what has happened and we will provide more information as soon as we can.”

He added that police do not believe there is a threat to the wider community.

“We are not looking for more suspects,’’ he said. ”This incident does not appear to be terror-related.”

Transport for London said Hainault underground station was closed due to a police investigation in the area.

The Associated Press