Victim, 46, was stabbed outside a BP garage as horrified residents looked on; suspect charged within days

Leyton High Road was plunged into chaos this weekend after a brutal daylight stabbing outside a BP petrol station left residents shaken and terrified. The shocking attack, which took place just after 4 pm, saw a 46-year-old man knifed in the arm in full view of passers-by, sending east Londoners into panic.

Emergency services descended on the busy forecourt as horrified locals gathered near the scene. The wounded man lay bleeding on the pavement as paramedics fought to stabilise him, eventually rushing him to the hospital. Police quickly sealed off the area with crime scene tape stretching across Leyton High Road. Leyton Midland Road Overground station was also shut for several hours as investigations began.

The victim’s injuries, though serious, were later confirmed to be non-life-threatening. But the emotional toll on witnesses was unmistakable. “You think you’re safe popping out for petrol at 4 pm – clearly not!” said one frightened mother. Others described the ordeal as “absolutely terrifying,” with children and shoppers left shaken by the violence erupting in plain sight.

Just days after the incident, the Metropolitan Police arrested and charged Aldrin Tomlinson, a 54-year-old man from Walthamstow, in connection with the attack. He was formally charged with wounding with intent and making threats to kill, and has since appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court.

Police have been praised for their swift response and rapid investigation. However, many in the community are demanding more than just quick arrests. “We’re seeing knife crime happen in the open now, at petrol stations and high streets,” said one local business owner. “What’s it going to take for the government to step in and protect us properly?”

The attack has reignited concerns over London’s persistent knife crime epidemic. Incidents like these, occurring in bustling neighbourhoods and near key transport hubs, highlight how violence continues to creep into everyday life. For parents and families trying to go about their routines, it’s another grim reminder that no corner of the capital feels truly safe.

Despite efforts to clamp down on knife violence, residents say the measures feel too reactive. “There’s a real sense that we’re just waiting for the next stabbing,” said a Leyton resident who witnessed the police cordon. “This one didn’t end in death – but what about the next one?”

As Aldrin Tomlinson awaits his next court date, many in Leyton remain on edge. The sight of blood on a public pavement, metres from homes and commuter routes, is something they won’t soon forget. And with each fresh incident, the calls grow louder for a tougher, more proactive stance on the violence plaguing London’s streets.