Man stabs a girl and her mother in a London tourism hot spot before being arrested, police say

LONDON (AP) — A man stabbed an 11-year-old girl and her mother in London’s bustling theater district on Monday before being arrested, police said, adding that there was no indication that the attack was terrorism-related.

The attack occurred shortly before noon outside a tea shop in Leicester Square, a magnet for tourists with its shops and theaters.

Workers from nearby shops leapt to the assistance of the victims. Officers arrived within four minutes and arrested the attacker, police said. Police said they weren't seeking anyone else in connection with the attack.

“I would like to pay tribute to the members of the public, including staff from local businesses, who bravely intervened in this incident,'' Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah said. “They put themselves at risk and showed the best of London in doing so."

The victims were taken to a major trauma center. The girl required treatment but her life was not in jeopardy, police said. Her mother, 34, had less serious injuries.

The suspect is 32, and police said that at this stage, they don't believe he knew the victims.

“An urgent investigation is now ongoing and detectives are working to establish the details around exactly what happened,″ Jessah said.

The stabbing occurred during a recent rise in knife crime in Britain, which is on edge after days of violence 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 mass stabbing that killed three girls during a Taylor Swift-themed dance event.

It was not clear if Monday's attack had any link to the unrest.

Police had braced for further riots over the weekend, but no widespread unrest occurred. Ministers remain on high alert, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office said, adding that its work was not done in dealing with the fallout from the recent violence.

Discarded clothing and emergency medical equipment is seen inside the TWG Tea shop in Leicester Square, London, as a man has been arrested after an 11-year-old girl and 34-year-old woman were stabbed, in London, Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. (James Manning/PA via AP)

Discarded clothing and emergency medical equipment is seen inside the TWG Tea shop in Leicester Square, London, as a man has been arrested after an 11-year-old girl and 34-year-old woman were stabbed, in London, Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. (James Manning/PA via AP)

Police cordon off an area in Leicester Square, as a man was arrested with the accusation of stabbing an 11-year-old girl and 34-year-old woman, in London, Monday Aug. 12, 2024. (James Manning/PA via AP)

Blood is seen on the pavement as a man has been arrested after an 11-year-old girl and 34-year-old woman were stabbed in Leicester Square, in London, Monday Aug. 12, 2024. (James Manning/PA via AP)

A Police officer stands at the scene in Leicester Square, as a man was arrested with the accusation of stabbing an 11-year-old girl and 34-year-old woman, in London, Monday Aug. 12, 2024. (James Manning/PA via AP)

VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) — Three weeks ago, Matthew Baldwin was laughing at himself for mishitting a drive so badly that the ball went between his legs and advanced just one yard in front of the tee markers.

On Friday, the No. 363-ranked journeyman from England was the second-round clubhouse leader by three strokes at the flagship event on the European tour and preparing himself for the biggest weekend of his career.

Baldwin shot 6-under 66 to set an unexpectedly hot pace at the BMW PGA Championship at 13 under, which tied the prestigious tournament’s 36-hole record. Many of Europe's top players, including Rory McIlroy, were having a hard time getting near him.

It's quite the story, with Baldwin having gone through the tour’s qualifying school six times in a turbulent career that, just two years ago, saw him playing on the Challenge Tour — the level below the European tour — and ranked just inside the top 850 in the world. He was back on the main tour last year when he earned his only pro win, at the SDC Championship in South Africa.

This year has been a challenge at times, missing four straight cuts across June and July before finding some form. There was a tie for 12th at the Czech Masters in August and then a tie for 18th at the British Masters — where he experienced that embarrassing incident off the tee.

Asked what he had learned through the tough times of his career, Baldwin said: "That there are more important things in life, I guess.

“At the end of the day, we are all here trying our hardest. At times, my hardest wasn’t good enough. Now I'm in a good place, mentally and physically, and enjoying what I'm doing.”

Baldwin built on his overnight one-shot lead, following a first-round 65, by making seven birdies — including five in six holes from No. 3 — to go along with a dropped shot at No. 11. That is his only bogey so far this week.

“Just playing sensible golf, really,” the 38-year-old Baldwin said of his strategy this week. “I’m trying not to hit it too close, which obviously then forces you — sometimes you can get short-sided and things like that.

“I’ve been putting really well, which has kept momentum going.”

Antoine Rozner of France was the closest challenger to Baldwin after making birdie on each of the final five holes on the West Course to complete a bogey-free 65.

The No. 199-ranked Rozner was alone on 10 under midway through the second round, which experienced a delay of nearly 80 minutes around lunchtime because of thunder and lightning.

“To be very honest with you, I’ve been struggling a little bit with my game,” Rozner said, “so this type of round today was very good.”

Billy Horschel, the 2021 champion, shot 69 and was five strokes behind Baldwin. Tommy Fleetwood (68) was a further shot back.

The No. 3-ranked McIlroy was among the afternoon starters following a first-round 67.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Billy Horschel of the U.S. tees off the 8th during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

England's Aaron Rai tees off the 8th during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

England's Marcus Armitage tees off the 8th during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Mark Hubbard of the United States chips out of a bunker on the 1st during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen plays from the 1st fairway during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

England's Matthew Baldwin looks on during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

England's Matthew Baldwin tees off the 8th during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)