A man has been stabbed in the same north London area as four people who were attacked at the weekend.

The Met Police said the man, in his 30s, was in a life-threatening condition in hospital. The attack happened at 05:00 BST on Tuesday on Fairfield Road, Edmonton. The victim was found in the same street as the first weekend stabbing.

A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm over the latest attack. Police said the attacks had not been formally linked, but the description of the knifeman was similar.

The victim is said to have been walking with a friend when he was attacked. He then made his way to Aberdeen Road, where he was found by police officers. The friend was not injured.

Police arrested a man at about 10:00 at Edmonton Green.

Employees at furniture store Dogtas saw the arrest taking place. “A police car pulled up and four or five police officers sprinted over and arrested a man outside the window,” said one employee. “Two more police cars turned up as they went through his wallet – they looked like they were checking it was the right guy. “The man didn’t say anything for the whole time.”

Over a period of 10 hours at the weekend, a woman and three men were attacked in what police described as a spate of “cowardly and senseless” attacks. They were all approached from behind and knifed as they walked alone in Edmonton. They were apparently selected at random, police said.

The first victim, a 45-year-old woman, remains in a critical condition after she was attacked in Aberdeen Road at 19:02 GMT on Saturday. Four hours later, a 52-year-old man was stabbed half a mile away in Park Avenue. He has since been discharged from hospital.

The next victim, a 23-year-old man, is in a critical condition after being attacked near Seven Sisters Tube station at about 04:00 BST on Sunday. The final stabbing happened at 09:42 in Brettenham Road where a 29-year-old man was attacked. He is receiving medical treatment, but his injuries are not life-threatening.

Police have been given extra time to question two men who were previously arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. Det Supt Luke Marks said: “I am aware that events from the weekend have caused a huge amount of worry and concern among the community, and that this incident will cause further alarm.

“While at this stage the incident has not yet been formally linked, the location and manner of this attack will be of concern to the public. “Our advice continues that that public to remain vigilant, and to contact police regarding anyone acting suspiciously.” Extra officers will be on patrol, he said.

Mike Kalongi, 28, who lives nearby, said: “I usually go to the gym at night, but over the last few days I decided not to. “I’m going shopping. I usually have my headphones on but I want to stay aware and try not to be a victim. “It’s scary. It’s really scary.”

Connor McCoy, 21, who also lives nearby, said he presumed it was a follow-on from what happened at the weekend. He still feels safe in the area, but said: “I just hope that the slightly more defenceless people can feel safe living in this street. “I hope that something happens, something to deal with knife crime.”