Palmira Silva, a widow believed to be of Italian descent, was found at an address in Edmonton, north London just after 1pm after police received reports of a man with a knife in Nightingale Road.
Other potential victims escaped in what
appears to be a random attack, Sky sources say.
Police say they do not believe there is a
terrorist motive but have not confirmed if Ms Silva, who was pronounced dead at
the scene, was beheaded.
Sky's Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt said:
"They haven't confirmed that the woman has been beheaded, refusing at this
stage to discuss the injuries she's suffered.
"But we are on very good sources
reporting the fact that the woman was found decapitated and police are
certainly not telling us that we're wrong in doing that."
Police officers at the
scene of the stabbing
Witnesses reported seeing a man running around
the area as police arrived and he was seen attacking a car.
The first report police received said a man
was attacking an animal, a cat or a dog.
One local resident, who did not want to be
named, described seeing a man brandishing a machete and shouting about cats.
The Metropolitan Police said the suspect was
cornered in a house by officers after moving through a number of back gardens.
Metropolitan Police Commander Simon Letchford
said: "Officers who attended the scene have evacuated a number of those
people from those premises to make them safe.
"During that period they distracted the
man from carrying out any further attacks."
Witnesses reported seeing a
man running around the area
An attempted attack on two people at another
address in Nightingale Road is also being investigated. Police say they believe
they were able to get out of the house without being injured.
One witness has told Sky News a man was
"fighting" with police.
The suspect was detained by firearms officers
and taser stun guns were fired.
It is not known what weapon
was used
One officer was injured during the arrest and
is believed to have suffered a broken wrist.
The man was injured in the arrest and is being
treated in hospital, where he is under guard.
Police will then determine whether he can be
interviewed.
A police officer was
injured as the man was arrested
A weapon has been recovered but police have
not revealed what it was.
Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin, who is
leading the investigation, described it as a "a highly visible attack in
broad daylight".
He said: "I can understand why this may
cause people concern, however we are confident that we are not looking for
anyone else at this stage."
Police described the
incident as a "highly visible attack"
Residents are still waiting to be allowed back
into their homes and the road remains cordoned off as forensic officers
continue their work.
Ms Silva's next of kin have been informed.
A neighbour who knew her said she was
"such a sweet lady" who went to work every day in a nearby cafe.
Skynews
Scarry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletedis pple are bent on inflicting fear
ReplyDelete