Emergency services were called to Old Kent Road in South London late Tuesday night following reports of a violent incident involving multiple stabbings. The call came in at approximately 10:45 p.m., prompting a major response from the Metropolitan Police and the London Ambulance Service.
Several people were injured in the attack, including a 17-year-old male who sustained life-threatening injuries. Paramedics treated him at the scene before rushing him to a nearby trauma center, where he remains in critical condition as of Wednesday morning.
A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 10:45 p.m. to reports of a stabbing on Old Kent Road. We dispatched multiple resources, including advanced paramedics and trauma teams. Several patients were treated at the scene, with one teenager taken as a priority to hospital in a life-threatening condition.”
Police quickly established a crime scene, closing a large section of the busy thoroughfare while forensic teams gathered evidence. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with numerous emergency vehicles lining the street late into the night.
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Command have launched a full investigation. Details remain unclear regarding the number of suspects or the motive behind the attack. No arrests have been made, but officers are reviewing CCTV footage, conducting door-to-door inquiries, and speaking with potential witnesses.
Residents and business owners in the area expressed shock at the violence. One shop owner said, “We see arguments sometimes, but nothing like this. There were so many police and ambulances—I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s frightening, especially for young people who walk here every day.”
Old Kent Road has seen multiple violent incidents in recent years, and Tuesday night’s attack is likely to reignite discussions about youth violence and knife crime in South London. Community leaders have called for increased resources and preventative measures to address the ongoing public safety concerns.
The Metropolitan Police urged anyone with information to come forward: “If you saw or heard anything in the Old Kent Road area around 10:45 p.m., or if you have dashcam or CCTV footage, please contact us immediately. Every piece of information could be vital to this investigation.”
Traffic diversions remain in place as officers maintain a visible presence in the area. Authorities have reassured the public that there is no wider threat, while the investigation continues.