Police in London are investigating a train station stabbing attack as a 'terrorist incident'

LONDON (Reuters) - At least three people have been seriously injured in a stabbing at a London train station.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said officers were called to an incident at Leytonstone underground station, east London, at 1905 GMT on Saturday where a suspect was reportedly threatening members of the public with a knife.

He said a taser was discharged by one of the officers at the suspect who was then arrested and taken to an east London hospital, where he remains in custody.

The spokesman said one man had sustained serious stab injuries.

Commander Richard Walton with the Met's Counter Terrorism Command says it's being investigated as a "terrorist incident."

He did not confirm a Sky News report that the suspect shouted the words: "This is for Syria" during the attack.

Here's some video that appears to capture part of the incident:

Britain is on its second-highest alert level of "severe," meaning a militant attack is considered highly likely. This is mainly due to the threat the authorities say is posed by Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq and their encouragement of supporters to carry out attacks in their homelands.

British lawmakers approved the bombing of Islamic State targets in Syria on Wednesday. Britain's air force has since carried out two bombing raids. 

(Editing by Chris Reese)

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Jaguar revealed its first SUV ever — and it's the most beautiful SUV on the planet