A man who was wielding a machete at a train station platform in London was tasered and detained by police on Jan. 14.
In a video taken from a nearby train at Tulse Hill station, the man can be seen waving the large weapon as he walked across the platform.
“Oh my God, he’s got a knife,” one passenger can be heard saying in the video.
Another later said: “Oh my God, there’s another sword.”
“Man with a massive machete wandering back and forth at Tulse Hill station ranting,” a user wrote on Twitter. “Police have arrived but may be worth avoiding the area.”
Police, responding to a report of a man in possession of a knife, deployed a taser to neutralize the man, sending him to the ground and allowing officers to rush in.
Well done to the police for stopping man with Machete at #tulsehill #police #macheteman pic.twitter.com/3e6CoSBM4j
— littlemanalex (@littlemanalex1) January 14, 2019
Man at Tulse Hill Station with a massive machete just been tasered by the police #tulsehill pic.twitter.com/f5V9Qu9PVF
— Vik (@Vikjas85) January 14, 2019
Thank you! I wish I had gotten a clear shot of his face so people didn’t automatically assume that he was black. ???? But mainly I’m just glad that everyone was safe!
— Xara Pandora (@xarapandapop) January 14, 2019
A witness told the Evening Standard that he had heard a male voice shouting loudly. Conor Fortune, 39, was on a train that had stopped at Tulse Hill station at the time of the incident. He told the paper: “After several minutes of being sat on the platform, the driver announced that we were being held and she shut the doors as a precaution and advised nobody to get off as there was ‘a dangerous man on the platform.'”
“She informed us the police had been alerted and were responding.”
At least five police officers helped hold the 59-year-old man as he was taken into custody.
During the takedown, the British Transport Police’s (BTP’s) campaign slogan “See it, Say it, Sorted” was heard playing on the public radio system in the carriage.
Good advertising
— malcolm robinson (@mally1robbo) January 14, 2019
In a statement, the BTP confirmed that the man was under arrest on suspicion of attempted murder.
A man has been arrested at Tulse Hill station, #London this evening after reports of a man being in possession of a knife. There are no reported injuries.
Further enquiries continue and witnesses are urged to contact BTP by sending a text to 61016 https://t.co/KZknYkM63t pic.twitter.com/jtkFGMyVj0
— British Transport Police (@BTP) January 14, 2019
“Shortly after 6.30 p.m. today (14/01) officers from British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police were called to Tulse Hill station after reports of a man in possession of a knife,” a statement from the BTP read. “Police officers were quickly on scene and detained a 59-year-old man on the platforms at the station. During the detainment a Taser device was discharged.”
“The man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon, he is being taken to custody.”
Police said no injuries were reported and the incident is not believed to be terror-related.
Online, social media users praised the quick response from police.
“Terrifying incident at Tulse Hill station where several of us had to run from a man wielding a machete,” one user, David Northfield, wrote on Twitter. “He has now been subdued by polic—very grateful for them being there quickly and acting bravely.”
Another user, Ben Mac, wrote: “Just at Tulse Hill Station where the guy was wielding a machete—he’s been subdued by the police, I don’t believe anyone was hurt. Massive thank you and well done to the Police!”
“Excellent work by Met police at Tulse Hill. Illustrates the vital importance of having readily available taser equipped officers,” Twitter user Brian Williams wrote.
Police are asking any witnesses to contact them by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 478 of 14/01/2019.
Storyful contributed to this report.