London bloodbath as three treated, one in hospital and 12 arrests after knife fight horror

One man was taken to a major trauma centre after a fight in south London, with an eyewitness taking to social media to describe seeing four men armed with “massive knives” being arrested by police.

Footage shared on social media shows police officers and vehicles on the scene in Thomas Street in Woolwich last night, while separate pictures showing the road cordoned off.

Police suggested three people had been taken to hospital - although London Ambulance Service put the figure at one.

A Metropolitan Police statement said: "Police were called at around 1825hrs on Friday, 31 May, to a fight in Thomas Street, Woolwich.

"Officers attended the location and found three males suffering stab injuries.

"All have been taken to hospital; officers await an assessment of their conditions."

The spokesman added: "Additional officers have been deployed to the area and a total of 12 people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Enquiries continue."

A Section 60 order remains in place covering the entire SE18 postcode area until 9.37am today.

Witnesses and anyone with video footage which may assist is being asked to call 101 and quote ref 5815/31may. To remain anonymous they can contact Crimestoppers.

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, one user said: "Just seen Woolwich Old Bill nicking about four young men with massive knives. Air ambulance deployed. Police in the town centre.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We responded to several calls to reports of stabbings in Woolwich on Friday, May 31.

"The first call was at 6:32 pm about an incident on Calderwood Street.

"We were then called to an incident on Powis Street. We sent ambulance crews, an incident response officer and a paramedic in a fast-response car.

"We treated two patients at the scene. We took one to a major trauma centre as a priority and the other declined further treatment."