London stabbing: Five men rushed to hospital after violent altercation, one arrested

Five men were injured in a stabbing incident on a busy west London street after a violent altercation broke out in Acton on Friday afternoon, police said.According to the Metropolitan Police, officers patrolling Horn Lane were alerted to reports of multiple men being assaulted and stabbed at around 2.47 pm. Emergency first aid was administered at the scene before all five victims were rushed to hospital.Four of the injured men, aged 20, 22, 42 and 47, suffered stab wounds, though police said their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing. A fifth man, aged 26, was also taken to hospital, where he was later arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs.Police confirmed the suspect remains under medical care while investigations continue.The London Ambulance Service said multiple emergency teams, including advanced paramedics and tactical response units, were deployed to the scene after receiving a distress call shortly before 2.50 pm.Chief Superintendent Jill Horsfall said the incident would understandably alarm residents and assured the public that detectives were working to establish the full sequence of events.“We recognise this will be concerning for the local community and want to reassure them that our detectives are working quickly to establish exactly what has taken place,” she said.Police said there would be an increased security presence in the area over the coming days and urged witnesses or anyone with information to contact authorities.Photos circulating on local community forums reportedly showed several injured men receiving treatment outside a nearby electrical goods store.The incident comes amid ongoing concerns over knife crime in England and Wales, although recent figures show knife-related offences and homicides declined in 2025 compared with the previous year.