Police arrest man after fifth Edmonton stabbing as detectives keep 'open mind' knife attacks are linked
Scotland Yard has urged people to remain vigilant after a fifth person was stabbed in north London right under the noses of a police patrol.
A man in his 30s was left in critical condition after being knifed in the back just yards from the scene of a previous incident, prompting fears the attacker could be taunting the police.
It was the fifth knife attack in the area since Saturday evening, in a spree that has left three people critically ill.
A man in his 30s was arrested in connection with the attacks on Tuesday morning, but police have warned people to remain on their guard in case the person responsible is still at large.
Another suspect who was arrested on Sunday remained in custody last night after police were given more time to question him, while a third suspect was bailed by police.
The spate of stabbings has led to widespread concern in the local community, with schools put into lockdown and children warned not to walk home alone.
Local residents close to the scene of yesterday's stabbing said they were scared to go about their day to day activities.
Kelvin Ojo, 36, said: "It's scary now, this is not normal. They can't find this person, it's just one guy. Now I'm starting thinking about moving from this area, I'm not liking it.
"It could happen to anyone, my friends, my family, it could happen to me. It's really scary. We don't even know this guy they are talking about, so it's really scary."
The latest attack comes just a day after the Prime Minister hosted a knife crime summit at Downing Street to address mounting concern over the number of attacks.
But just hours after the event a man in his 20s was stabbed to death by a group of attackers in Kentish Town, north London.
Figures released under Freedom of Information laws also revealed that hospitals are treating up to 21 young knife victims a day.
Almost 8,000 children and young people aged eleven to 25 years attended hospitals last year after being assaults with knives and other weapons.
Referring to the latest Edmonton incident, Helen Millichap, borough commander for Enfield and Haringey, said: "The victims appeared to have been approached from behind, they do not appear to have been engaged in conversation, these are currently very unprovoked attacks.
"The actions of the suspect, the fact the incidents are in a similar area and the descriptions given meaning we are only potentially looking for individual perpetrator."
"However, until these investigations have developed further and we are in a position to speak with certainty about this, I have a duty to ask the public to remain vigilant and to please continue to report anything suspicious to us."
She added: "My message to the public here in Edmonton is that the police are here, the police are out and about.
"We want the public to stay alert, I do want people to report anything suspicious to us, but I also do want them to feel as safe as they can. We are not advising people to stay indoors."
The fourth victim was stabbed yesterday morning just after 5am as he was walking with a friend close to the scene of the first incident.
After being stabbed in the back he was able to make his way to a police cordon, where officers were able to provide first aid and alert paramedics.
The first incident took place in Aberdeen Road in Edmonton, when a 45-year-old woman was stabbed in the back.
Around four hours later the same man attacked a man in nearby Park Avenue and he struck again just before 4am in the Silver Street area of Edmonton.
The fourth attack took place at 9.43am on Sunday in Brettenham Road, when a man was stabbed in the back.
Children at schools in Edmonton are being restricted from leaving the premises during breaks and lunchtime and are being advised to walk home in pairs or small groups.
They are also being warned to stick to main roads rather than take shortcuts and not to listen to music or be distracted by their smartphones when walking.
