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6 December 2015

An attacker at Leytonstone tube reportedly said “this is for Syria“ during knife assault

Reports suggest the man claimed the attack was in response to British intervention in Syria, while Londoners respond with the hashtag #youaintamuslimbruv.

By New Statesman

Police are investigating a possible terrorist incident after an assault at Leytonstone tube station left three people injured.

One man suffered serious injury from knife wounds while two others were hurt after a man, who bystanders report yelled “this is for Syria”, attacked them on Saturday night.

The assailant was arrested after being tasered by the Metropolitan Police.

Detectives’ initial view is that they believe the man acted alone, and they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the assault.

The victim was transferred to hospital with a member of the air ambulance crew. Police say his injuries are not life-threatening.

One alleged witness, Laurynas Godvisa, posted on Twitter reporting that the man said “This is what happens when you fuck with mother Syria”.

In a video apparently recorded at the scene, an onlooker is heard to yell “You ain’t no muslim bruv”. The hashtag #youaintnomuslimbruv quickly began trending on Twitter, with users praising Londoners’ sanguine response to the attack and the fast actions of the police.

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Police are appealing for witnesses who were near Leytonstone station around 7pm to call the anti-terror hotline on 0800 789 321.

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