Bishopsgate stabbing: Three people stabbed in suspected robbery in City of London

Three people were taken to hospital after being stabbed in central London on Thursday morning after fighting back during a suspected phone theft.

Officers attended the scene on Bishopsgate, in the middle of London’s financial district, shortly before 10am this morning.

The City of London police confirmed that three people had been stabbed and one person was pushed to the floor during the incident.

Investigations are still ongoing but police have confirmed that the incident is being treated as a suspected robbery. It is not being treated as terror-related.

Witnesses told reporters at the scene that the stabbings occurred when bystanders attempted to intervene to stop a phone theft.

The BBC reports that one of those injured was the victim of a “phone snatch” and others also injured in the stabbing were members of the public who had stepped in to help.

The City of London Police said the ongoing incident is not being treated as a suspected robbery. (Photo: James Manning/PA Wire)

Videos posted on social media show a number of police cars and ambulances outside the 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper, the second tallest building in London that is home to a number of law and insurance firms.

Part of the area has been cordoned off, near the corner of Bishopsgate and Camomile Street.

Cities of London and Westminster MP, Nickie Aitken, said in a tweet that she was “concerned” about the attack.

“My thoughts are with all those involved including the first responders,” she said.

A woman who runs a membership organisation and works inside 22 Bishopsgate told i: “It’s a bit surreal to be honest. It’s a bit worrying.

“I got to the office at 9.30 so about 20 minutes before it happened. you don’t really expect that sort of thing to happen around this sort of area.”

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The woman, who did not want to be named, said: “Some people are aware some people are not aware so it [the mood] seems ok. But I think everyone’s just a bit surprised.

“It’s horrible to say but you become a bit desensitised to it …when you don’t see it yourself.”

London Ambulance Service said its crews treated four people, three of whom were taken to hospital.

In a tweet, the City of London Police said: “We received reports of three stabbings and a person pushed to the floor on Bishopsgate at 09:46 and officers arrived at the scene at 09:51.

“Three victims were taken by [London Ambulance Service] to a nearby hospital to be treated.”