The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Four dead in ‘devastating’ stab attack
Three women and a man have been killed in a “devastating” stabbing attack at a house in south-east London.
The victims were all pronounced dead at the scene in Delaford Road, Bermondsey, in the early hours of yesterday.
A man aged in his late 20s, who was known to them, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
Speaking to journalists at the scene yesterday afternoon, the Met’s Southwark Commander
Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove said the three women who died were aged in their mid-60s, 40s and 30s, and the man in his mid-60s.
He said: “I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of all those concerned. This is a deeply shocking incident, and we will do everything we can to provide support to everyone affected.
“And I can assure you this investigation will be thorough to ensure justice for the victims and their families and the community.”
Anne Birkett, 60, whose back bedroom looks on to the property where the victims were found, said she was woken by police sirens and a circling helicopter just before 2am.
Ms Birkett told the PA news agency: “It’s devastating – you hear all of this, but you never assume it’s going to be right on your own doorstep.”
A resident of the adjacent road, Bramcote Grove, who did not want to be named, said he was woken at around 2am by police sirens and a helicopter.
“When I saw four ambulances, I knew it was serious,” he said.
Part of the residential street was closed off with metal hoarding, and a number of forensic tents had been put up as police carried out their investigations yesterday.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I am heartbroken that three
women and a man were killed last night in a devastating incident at an address in Southwark.
“I am in contact with the leadership of the Metropolitan Police.
“An investigation is under way, and one man has been arrested.”
The Met said officers were called to reports of a disturbance at around
1.40am, and when they forced entry to the house, they found four people with fatal stab injuries.
A spokeswoman for London Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 02.07am to reports of an incident on Delaford Road, Bermondsey.
“Sadly, despite the best efforts of our medics, four patients died at the scene.”