A man has been arrested after an 11-year-old girl and a 34-year-old woman were stabbed in central London, London’s Metropolitan Police said Monday.

The attack occurred in Leicester Square, a magnet for tourists with its shops, theaters and cinemas. The square and surrounding area have an estimated 2.5 million visitors every week.

Police said the two victims were taken to a major trauma center. The extent of their injuries was not immediately clear.

The stabbing occurred as Britain is on edge after violence for the past week as crowds spouting anti-immigrant and Islamophobic slogans clashed with police. The disturbances have been fueled by right-wing activists who used social media to spread misinformation about a knife attack that killed three girls during a Taylor Swift-themed dance event.

  • @[email protected]
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    fedilink
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    171 month ago

    “A busy square” being Leicester Square, right in the heart of London and a major tourist area.

    • Flying SquidM
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      41 month ago

      Or, as many tourists pronounce it, lie-sester square.

      • @Plopp
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        61 month ago

        We all know it’s pronounced lake-ster

        • @khannie
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          71 month ago

          Oh, thanks for the heads up. I thought it was lay-kes-ter!