Woman in 60s knifed to death at bus stop by man ‘trying to steal her handbag’
A woman in her 60s who was fatally stabbed in north London on Thursday was attacked by a man who tried to rob her of her handbag, a witness has claimed.
The Metropolitan Police said emergency crews were called to reports of a stabbing in Burnt Oak Broadway, near the junction of Limesdale Gardens, in Edgware at 11.50am.
Land and air ambulance officers attended the incident and treated the woman for stab injuries, but she died at the scene.
Jess Bloom, who was working at a hair salon opposite the scene of the crime, told The Times she saw the woman get stabbed three times by a man as he attempted to take her handbag.
Ms Bloom told the paper: “It happened at the bus stop and the woman ended up in the middle of the road.
“The guy was trying to get her handbag but she said ‘no’ and fought back. I saw her pull the handbag twice. He pulled her into the road and stabbed her three times.
“He let go of her and she dropped to the ground. She was covered in blood and his hand was red. He ran off and everyone ran to the woman to help her. I heard the scream.”
‘Fast-time work from specialist detectives’
A 22-year-old man was arrested in the Colindale area on Thursday afternoon and remains in custody.
Detective Superintendent Tony Bellis said: “This is a significant development in this investigation and comes as a result of fast-time work from specialist detectives working alongside local officers.
“The investigation remains in its early stages, and we continue to work to establish why this incident took place, including whether the person responsible was known to the woman who died. I would urge people to refrain from speculating about the circumstances while this work is ongoing.
“A family has been left devastated by this shocking attack and my thoughts are with them at this unimaginably difficult time.”
