Three men brandishing what appeared to be machetes clashed in front of shocked onlookers on a busy street in London.
Police announced Saturday that officers quickly attended the incident Friday afternoon and made the arrest.
Just before 2pm, three people with their faces covered were seen attacking each other with knives outside Stockwell tube station in south London.
One man was seen fleeing and entering a fish and chip restaurant, where two others barricaded themselves in an unsuccessful attempt to gain entry.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the arrested suspect, believed to be a 16-year-old boy, was taken to a hospital with a cut on his head, but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
“Shocking and disturbing.”
Police were called to the scene around 1:56 p.m. and arrived a few minutes later.
Detective Superintendent Adam Seaton, of Mid-South Command, said: “This was a shocking and alarming incident that occurred in broad daylight in a crowded area.
“There were a number of members of the public in attendance and it must have been very alarming and distressing for them. Police officers arrived at the scene within three minutes and made immediate arrests. ”
London Ambulance Service was initially alerted, but paramedics were told to leave their seats and no ambulance was dispatched.
Following the incident, a large police cordon was set up from the tube station to the fish and chip shop where the chase ended.
Knife crime in London has increased every year since the pandemic, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Knife crime rises by 22% in London
The Metropolitan Museum of Art recorded a 22% increase in knife-related crimes, with 13,957 incidents taking place last year alone.
The London borough of Lambeth, which includes Stockwell, where the attack occurred, has the fourth highest number of knife and sharps crimes in London, with a total of 735, an increase of 16% on last year.
Detective Superintendent Seaton said: “I would like to reassure the community that the investigation is ongoing and inquiries are ongoing.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact police on 101 quoting CAD 3597/23. Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.