A 14-year-old boy has been charged in connection with a violent confrontation at a KFC in Bromley that left four people suffering stab wounds.
The incident happened on Bromley High Street at about 2.15pm on Thursday, September 10, prompting a major emergency response involving police, ambulance crews and London’s Air Ambulance.
Four People Taken to Hospital
A 21-year-old man and three teenagers aged between 14 and 17 were treated for stab wounds after the altercation inside the fast-food restaurant.
The 21-year-old was initially described as being in a critical condition, although his injuries are now understood to be non-life-threatening.
The three teenagers have since been discharged from hospital.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene inside the restaurant, with one claiming there was “a lot of blood” following the attack.
Others alleged that those involved had used a machete during the confrontation.
Witnesses Describe Machete Attack
A bus driver who arrived shortly after the incident said people at the scene had described the weapon as a “zombie knife”.
“It was inside the KFC,” the driver said, adding that people were being interviewed by police and that the area remained restricted for a considerable period.
A nearby security guard also claimed the attackers were “a group of kids with a machete”.
The reports prompted a substantial police response, with the surrounding area closed off while officers dealt with the incident and investigators examined the scene.
Police Cordon Off Bromley High Street
The town square and nearby shopping centre were cordoned off between Ringers Road and Ethelbert Road following the violence.
Police attended alongside the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance, while the London Fire Brigade was also dispatched.
The Metropolitan Police said officers had been called to reports of an “altercation” on Bromley High Street shortly after 2.15pm.
Four people were found with stab wounds when officers arrived.
Multiple Arrests Made
Eight people were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the incident.
Six of those arrested have since been released on conditional bail while police enquiries continue.
The latest development concerns a 14-year-old boy who has now been charged with one count of affray and two counts of threatening a person with a bladed article or offensive weapon in a public place.
He appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Saturday and is due to return to the same court on Wednesday.
Police Say There Is No Wider Threat
The Metropolitan Police has said there is currently no indication of a wider threat to members of the public and is treating the incident as isolated.
The force’s investigation remains ongoing as officers work to establish exactly what happened inside the restaurant and the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.
Emergency Services Treated Four Patients
The London Ambulance Service said it received the call at 2.19pm reporting a stabbing on Bromley High Street.
Ambulance crews, a fast-response paramedic, an incident response officer and an advanced paramedic were sent to the scene, along with London’s Air Ambulance.
All four injured people were treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.
KFC Confirms Serious Incident
KFC confirmed that a serious incident had occurred at its Bromley High Street restaurant.
A spokesperson said the company was cooperating with police as the investigation continued and that its priority was supporting staff members and customers affected by the incident.
