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A man has been arrested after another man was stabbed close to the British Museum in London this morning.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) after a man was stabbed close to the British Museum on Tuesday morning (August 8). The Metropolitan Police was called to Museum Street at approximately 10am and a man was taken to hospital with a stab woun.

The police said a man was treated for a stab wound to the arm at the scene and taken by London Ambulance Service to hospital. His condition is currently being assessed.

The force has treated this as “an isolated incident and there is no outstanding risk to the public.” It is not being treated as terror-related.

Police will remain at the scene for much of today, they said.

The British Museum has now reopened after visitors were evacuated.

A statement issued by the attraction said: “The museum was closed this morning due to an incident following a member of the public being attacked nearby.

“The museum’s security team supported at the scene until the emergency services arrived. Visitors were evacuated from the museum as a precaution and we wish the victim a full and swift recovery.

“The museum has now reopened with raised security including a heightened search operation.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 8: Police restrict access to Gt Russell St near the British Museum on August 8, 2023 in London, England. The Metropolitan Police said they were called to Museum Street at 10AM after a reported stabbing. A man was subsequently taken to the hospital with a stab wound and another was arrested on suspicion of Grievous Bodily Harm. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

A 27-year-old American woman said she was about to enter the queue at the British Museum when she was told to leave by police because someone had been stabbed.

The visitor from New York was leaving a Starbucks directly across from the museum on Great Russell Street when police approached her.

She told the PA news agency: “I was standing across the street at the Starbucks walking out to get into the line.

“We decided it was a good time to go, then we walked out and a cop directly in front of us told us we needed to leave and that the crime scene was large.

“I heard that someone was stabbed and the ambulance was parked inside near the grass area and then rushed down the street, right by me, with police following behind.”

Anyone with information or footage which could assist the police investigation is asked to contact police on 101, quoting CADF 2184/08AUG, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

British Museum reopens after man arrested after stabbing