Barnet murders: Man arrested after mother and five-year-old son stabbed to death

A man has been arrested after a mother and her five-year-old son were stabbed to death in north London.

Police were called to Brookside South in Barnet, north London, just after 1.30pm this afternoon (Tuesday, June 21).

Officers found the woman, aged 37, and child, believed to be aged five, with stab wounds.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene, and are understood to be mother and son.

A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The deceased and the arrested man were known to each other.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “An investigation, led by detectives from the Met’s specialist crime command, is underway following the death of a woman and child in Barnet.

“At 1.37pm, police were called by the London Ambulance Service to an address in Brookside South.

“Officers attended with London Ambulance Service paramedics and the London Air Ambulance.”

Chief superintendent Sara Leach, policing commander for the North West including Barnet, said: “The whole community will be shocked and saddened to hear of this terrible incident.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman and child who have died and also with the officers and paramedics who were first to arrive at what was an incredibly challenging scene.

“Specialist detectives are working to establish what took place and a man is in custody.

“While they are keeping an open mind as to what has taken place, I would like to reassure residents in the local area that there is nothing to indicate, at this stage, that anyone else was involved in this incident.”

She added: “I would urge anyone who saw or heard anything unusual earlier today, or in recent days, to come forward and speak to the police.

“Your information could be vital as the investigation moves forward.”

Initially, the Met Police said a woman and five-year-old girl were victims of the attack.

It has since corrected this, saying the child killed was a boy.

Information can be provided to police by calling 101 with the reference 3590/21JUN.

Alternatively, it can be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.