A woman has been taken into custody following a stabbing incident that left four individuals injured in one of London’s most popular tourist areas on Wednesday.

Emergency services responded to reports of the attack on Endell Street in Covent Garden at approximately 12:30 PM local time (9:30 PM AEST). An air ambulance was dispatched and landed in Trafalgar Square to assist with the situation.

According to law enforcement officials, four men, aged between 30 and 50 years old, suffered stab wounds and are currently receiving medical care in a hospital.

A 47-year-old woman was arrested on charges of possessing a weapon with the intent to cause harm and assault. She is presently being held in custody.

Authorities have indicated that they suspect the incident may be linked to mental health issues.

“Officers recovered a pair of scissors from the scene,” a police spokesperson noted.

The London Ambulance Service reported that they provided treatment to four victims at the location before transporting them to a major trauma center as a priority.

Covent Garden, known for its vibrant theatre and entertainment scene, attracts large numbers of visitors throughout the day and night.

Later in the day, many onlookers gathered to watch the air ambulance depart from Trafalgar Square.

By around 3:30 PM local time, police had lifted the roadblocks in the vicinity.

Matt Bishop, who was in the area during the incident, described a tense situation where police were engaged in a standoff with the woman. He recounted, “Two police officers arrived, and one of them subdued her by taking her legs out from under her.”

He also mentioned that a man nearby was receiving treatment for a stab wound to his back. Bishop observed that the woman who was arrested was “shouting incoherently” at the time.

“The police were inquiring about what language she was speaking, as it seemed either to be a foreign language or just nonsensical sounds,” he added.