Three women and a man stabbed to death in London

Man arrested on suspicion of murder following incident in Bermondsey area

Police forensic tents outside a house in Bermondsey, south-east London, after three women and a man were stabbed to death in the early hours of Monday. PA

A forensic officer enters a house in the Bermondsey area of London. Getty Images

The victims, three women and a man, were all pronounced dead at the scene in Delaford Road. AP Photo

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the incident. Getty Images

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to reports of a disturbance at about 1.40am. Getty Images

Four people have been stabbed to death at a home in south-east London.

The victims, three women and a man, were all pronounced dead at the scene in Delaford Road, Bermondsey, in the early hours of Monday.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to reports of a disturbance at around 1.40am and forced their way into a home, where they found four people with serious injuries.

A man in his late 20s, who was known to them, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

Speaking to journalists at the scene on Monday afternoon, the Met’s Southwark Commander Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove said the three women who died were aged in their mid 60s, 40s and 30s, and the man was in his mid 60s.

He said: “I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of all those concerned.

“This is a deeply shocking incident and we will do everything we can to provide support to everyone affected at this difficult time.

“Such terrible events are rare. But this will not diminish the shock felt across London and beyond.

“And I can assure you this investigation will be thorough to ensure justice for the victims and their families and the community.”

Anne Birkett, 60, whose back bedroom looks on to the property where the victims were found, said she was woken by police sirens and a circling helicopter just before 2am.

Ms Birkett told the PA news agency: “It’s devastating — you hear all of this but you never assume it’s going to be right on your own doorstep.

“I’m a foster carer and I’ve got children in my care, and now I’ve got to protect them now because of what’s happened.”

A resident of the adjacent road, Bramcote Grove, who did not want to be named, said he was woken at about 2am by police sirens and a helicopter and was kept up until 6am by the commotion.

“When I saw four ambulances — not one, not two, but four — I knew it was serious,” he said.

Part of the residential street was closed off with metal hoarding and a number of forensic tents had been put up as police carried out their investigations on Monday.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I am heart-broken that three women and a man were killed last night in a devastating incident at an address in Southwark.

“My thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have lost loved ones in this awful crime.

“I am in contact with the leadership of the Metropolitan Police.

“An investigation is under way and one man has been arrested. I urge anyone who has information that could be relevant to contact the police immediately.”