Panic erupted in a packed London park after a woman was seen brandishing a large knife and lunging at a young girl in front of stunned onlookers.
The disturbing footage, believed to be filmed at a party in Gladstone Park, Brent, shows the suspect — wearing a hooded top — running toward the girl with a weapon raised.
Shouts and screams filled the air as the girl stumbled back, raising her hands in fear. The attacker swung the knife toward her three times, narrowly missing each time. Dozens of people watching the chaos unfold quickly scattered as the threat escalated.
As tensions flared, the woman briefly backed away, returning to a group nearby. Moments later, a voice — possibly over a speaker system — warned that police were on the scene. The clip then cuts out.
One witness could be heard in the footage reacting with disbelief: “She backed out a shank — are you mad?”
Police respond to viral footage
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they were alerted to the video shortly after 10pm on Monday night. Officers arrived at the scene in Gladstone Park but found no trace of the woman seen in the footage.
A spokesperson said: “On Monday, 30 June at 22:03hrs, police attended Gladstone Park, Brent, after being made aware of a video circulating on social media showing a woman with a knife.
“Officers found no one matching the description. No injuries were reported, no weapons recovered, and no arrests have been made.”
Part of a growing problem
The shocking incident has fuelled wider concerns about public safety and knife violence, especially involving young people and large gatherings.
This case is the latest in a string of violent moments caught on camera across the UK. Just last year, dashcam footage showed a motorist in Nottinghamshire brandishing what appeared to be a sword during a road-rage confrontation with a female motorcyclist.
Meanwhile in north-west London, a man was caught on CCTV walking into a restaurant and attacking another man with a knife — before stopping to film the scene on his phone.
And in Sheffield, two young men were seen laughing and high-fiving after stabbing a stranger in a random attack. Both were arrested and later jailed for attempted murder.
Appeal for witnesses
Police are urging anyone who was at Gladstone Park on Monday evening or who recognises the individuals involved in the video to come forward.
The force continues to encourage the public to report any threatening behaviour, especially involving weapons, and reminded Londoners that even a brief encounter with a knife can have life-altering consequences.
Information can be passed to police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers.
