A 47-year-old woman has been arrested after stabbing four men in Covent Garden, a bustling tourist and entertainment district in central London, police said on Wednesday. Emergency services were called to Endell Street, one of the area's main thoroughfares, at around 12:30 p.m. local time. Officers seized a pair of scissors at the scene, believed to be the weapon used in the attack.

The four victims — aged 34, 39, 42, and 52 — were treated at the scene before being taken to hospital by ambulance. An air ambulance helicopter was also dispatched and landed in nearby Trafalgar Square, drawing crowds of onlookers. Two of the men were discharged within hours, while the other two remained in hospital for further treatment, though none of the injuries were considered life-threatening or life-changing. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and assault and remained in custody on Wednesday afternoon. It is not yet clear whether she knew any of her victims.

Witnesses working at a nearby restaurant said police used tasers to subdue the woman, who was known locally as a homeless person who regularly frequented the area. "They were chasing the lady who had a knife in her hand," said Ahmad, a waiter who declined to give his surname. "I saw the lady get tased by the police — it was the only way they could get her to drop the knife." The Metropolitan Police did not confirm the use of tasers in their official statements.

Authorities were quick to rule out a terrorist motive. "While still at an early stage of the investigation, we would like to reassure the community that we currently believe this to be an isolated mental health related incident," said Met Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart. The area was cordoned off with police tape as officers continued to secure the scene.

The attack highlights an ongoing challenge for British authorities. Firearms are tightly regulated in the UK and shootings are rare, but knife crime and attacks involving sharp objects remain a persistent public safety concern that the government has struggled to address effectively.