Edmonton stabbing victim ‘tried to scream but couldn’t’ after attack – eyewitness

A witness has recalled the horrifying moments after a 29-year-old man was stabbed in the back in north London.

Over a period of around 10 hours, a woman and three men were approached from behind and knifed in the back as they walked alone in Edmonton.

Timea Kovacs, 21, was on her way to work at around 9.45am on Sunday when she saw police officers helping the fourth victim in Fore Street around the corner from Brettenham Road.

“When the officer was turning him around, there was a hole in his back,” she told Sky News.

“I saw the blood. He was awake. He tried to scream but he couldn’t.”

Ms Kovacs was passing by just minutes after the attack and the area was yet to be cordoned off.

“There were two girls aged about 12 or 13 and they saw the victim as well. One of them broke down crying,” she continued.

“I live around here and I have to be extra vigilant… It’s a bit scary to walk on the road when you are alone.”

Police said the victims appeared to have been selected at random. Two are in a critical condition, while the other two have been described as stable.

Police are scouring the Edmonton area for a single male attacker, who is described as black, about 6ft 3ins, of skinny build and wearing dark clothing, possibly a hooded top.

A man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm shortly before 11am on Sunday in Edmonton.

Officers made a second arrest at a residential address in Edmonton in the afternoon. The second man, in his 40s, is also being held on suspicion of GBH, and both remain in custody.

The Met Police said in a statement: “This remains a live investigation and police are pursuing all lines of inquiry.

“Members of the public are advised to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious to police.”

The recent spate of stabbings were followed by the prime minister warning on Monday that “we cannot simply arrest ourselves” out of the problem of violent crime.

The government announced new measures that could hold teachers, nurses and police officers to account.

The so-called “public health duty” is being considered by Home Secretary Sajid Javid as part of a series of measures to tackle the surge of violence.

The plans were discussed in Downing Street today as more than 100 experts gathered for a knife crime summit organised by the prime minister.

(c) Sky News 2019: Edmonton stabbing victim ‘tried to scream but couldn’t’ after attack – eyewitness