FOUR FATAL STABBINGS occurred in London as 2017 drew to a close and the New Year began. Metropolitan Police officers are appealing to the public for help as they launch four murder investigations to find out why four more young men have lot their lives.
One of the stabbings occurred at around 7.30pm on 31st December in Memorial Avenue, West Ham. A second one occurred at approximately 2.35am in Bartholomew Court, Old Street, EC1: a 20 year old male was fatally stabbed and a second 20 year old male was stabbed and critically injured.
The other two incidents were: •18 year old male stabbed in Larmans Road, Enfield, around 11.30am on 31st December, died later that evening in hospital; •17 year old male stabbed in Norwood Road, Tulse Hill, at around 10.40pm on 31st December;
The investigations are all being conducted by the Homicide and Major Crime Command. So far five males have been arrested in connection with the murder in Enfield, but no arrests have yet been made in the other cases.
Commander Neil Jerome of the Met’s Territorial Policing Command said, “There were thousands of officers on duty across London yesterday and throughout the night, all determined to play their part in keeping the public safe. I am grateful to Londoners and visitors to the capital who co-operated with police […] to enable the vast majority of people to enjoy New Year’s Eve. However, there were small groups who chose to engage in disorder and violence, and whose actions have had utterly tragic consequences.
“It is heart-breaking that, at a time when so many of us are contemplating what lies ahead in 2018, four families are dealing with the grief of losing a loved one to senseless violence and the callous use of knives as lethal weapons. I can assure Londoners – and the families and friends of the four males killed and the fifth who remains in hospital – that detectives will work tirelessly to bring to justice those responsible for such despicable acts of violence.
“As we begin these investigations and the provision of support to four grieving families, days like this serve to re-enforce the determination of the Metropolitan Police to tackle knife crime and violence on our streets; especially offences committed by and against young people. I would urge anyone with information about these attacks, and more generally about anyone who routinely carries a knife, to urgently pass that information to police or Crimestoppers. If you’ve hesitated to do so before, then these four tragic deaths at the start of a new year may persuade you to act now to make London safer for your family and friends in 2018.”
•Anyone with information about any of the above stabbings or about anyone believed to carry a knife as Commander Jerome describes is asked to contact police via 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111, where you can give information anonymously.
•Read more about it: Youth gets nine years for Dagenham stabbing Two stabbed in Ilford bar
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