A man is fighting for his life in hospital after being stabbed, allegedly with a pair of scissors, in a Camden off-licence.
The victim, believed to have been a shopper in his 50s, was attacked just before 2pm at Camden Local Store in the High Street.
Their assailant made off and police mounted a search of the high street, questioning shopkeepers and witnesses, before a suspect was arrested by British Transport Police.
The road is shut just south of Camden Town Tube station.
Agnese Valentini, who works in the nearby Traid charity shop, said: “The police came inside to ask if we had seen a guy come inside. They told us a customer that was inside this shop [had been hurt].
“I was just scared, but it’s quiet now. We can’t have customers because the road is closed from the shop on our right to the shop where it happened a few doors down.”
Shoppers spoke of emergency services swarming the area in the minutes after the stabbing.
Emma Graham told the Standard she was in the Vodafone shop opposite when the incident happened.
“A police officer told me a man had stabbed [a] member of the public. I’m glad I was inside Vodafone – it’s so scary.”
Holly (@h0ls_) wrote on Twitter: “There was like 20 police cars and ambulances in Camden High Street […] what’s going on?”
Michal Kubacki (@mkubacki) added: “Big part of Camden High Street closed again, police cars all around Camden.”
Ms Shepherd (@ms_shepherd) said: “Arrive back from Birmingham just in time for a stabbing on Camden High St (in the newsagents next to Ladbrokes. I'd avoid that end).”
And Faye Turnbull (@xfayex) tweeted: “Loads of sirens and helicopters hovering in Camden. Rumours of a stabbing on the high street.”
A Met spokesman said: "Police were called to a shop in Camden High Street to reports of stabbing at approximately 1.40pm.
"London Ambulance Service was also called to the scene.
"A man in his 50s was treated for injuries and taken to a central London hospital where he is in a critical condition.
"Some minutes later, officers from the British Transport Police arrested a man in connection with the assault.
"He is in custody at a central London police station."
