A young man has died following a stabbing in broad daylight inside a council headquarters and library in north London.

Officers rushed to Brent Civic Centre, home to Brent Council, on Engineers Way, at around 2.30pm today following reports of a stabbing.

Staff in the building were evacuated as London’s Air Ambulance was dispatched to the scene as part of the emergency response.

Upon arrival, officers found the victim, believed to be a teenage boy or man in his early 20s, suffering from stab wounds.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, the young man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Some staff, residents and visitors saw the fatal attack take place, with reports suggesting the incident took place in the library.

No arrests have yet been made and officers are making urgent enquiries to identify and trace those responsible.

Officers cordoned off the Brent Civic Centre, near Wembley Stadium after the incident. Around 15 emergency vehicles could be seen stationed outside.

Video footage shows a large emergency presence at the scene, as passersby and members of staff gather around the entrance.

One eyewitness wrote on social media: “I was at the exact same place where the stabbing happened and had gone up to the first floor about ten minutes earlier.

“A staff member walked into the meeting room and told us to evacuate because someone had been stabbed. What I witnessed on the way down was unreal.”

Following the incident, a Section 60 order has been authorised, granting officers enhanced powers to stop and search people and vehicles, Met Police said.

This applies to the Wembley Park, Barnhill, Tokyngton, Stonebridge, Roundwood, Dollis Hill, Willesden and Welsh Harp ward areas of Brent.

Superintendent Chris Clarke, lead for emergency response policing in the area, said: “This is an awful incident, in which someone has tragically lost their life. We are working to urgently identify the victim and inform his next-of-kin as soon as possible.

“An investigation is underway to establish exactly what has taken place and trace those responsible. We recognise the concern this incident will cause within the local community and are committed to keeping residents informed as our enquiries progress.

“In light of the incident, we have authorised additional stop and search powers to help prevent further violence, support our investigation, and keep people safe.

“There will be an increased police presence in and around the area in the coming hours while our officers continue their investigation.”

There is not believed to be a wider threat to the community, nor is the incident believed to be terror-related.

An LAS spokesperson said: “We were called at 2:25pm to reports of a stabbing at Brent Civic Centre, Wembley, HA9.

“We sent an ambulance crew, paramedics in fast response cars and an incident response officer.

“We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.

“Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a patient was pronounced dead at the scene”.

Commenting on the incident this afternoon, Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: “Today, Brent has been shaken by an appalling and deeply tragic incident at the Civic Centre, in which a person has lost their life.

“Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, their family and loved ones, as well as the staff, residents and visitors who witnessed what happened.

“The Civic Centre has been evacuated and will remain closed until further notice. I would urge people to avoid the area and allow the police and emergency services to carry out their work.

“There is an active police investigation underway - please do not speculate or repeat any unverified claims online.

“We are working closely with the Metropolitan Police and will provide further updates as soon as we are able.

“I want to express my sincere thanks to the police, paramedics and emergency services for their swift response, and to our staff for the professionalism, compassion and calm they have shown today in the most difficult of circumstances.”

Brent Councillor Anton Georgiu wrote on X: “I am disturbed and saddened by this news. My heart goes out to the victim and their loved ones. Thinking also of staff and visitors to @BrentCouncil who witnessed what happened today.”

A spokesperson for the Brent Conservatives said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the fatal stabbing at Brent Civic Centre today. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victim’s family and loved ones and everyone affected by this tragedy. We thank the emergency services for their response.”

Anybody with information is urged to call 101, quoting reference 4032/25AUG.