While many people were out amid celebrations for New Year, four young men lost their lives in separate knife attacks across London. The attacks took place on New Year's eve and are being treated as unrelated. These incidents have brought the numbers of people murdered in London in 2017 to 80.
At 11:30am on 31st December 2017, an 18-year-old man was stabbed in Larmans Road, Enfield, North London, and pronounced dead in hospital.
At around 7:35pm, a 20-year-old man was brutally stabbed in Memorial Avenue, West Ham, East London, while a 17-year-old student died from a single stab wound at 10:40pm, in Norwood Road, Tulse Hill, South London, after an alleged “altercation” on a bus.
In the early hours of New year's Day, a 20-year-old man was stabbed to death in Old Street, East London, while a second man in his 20s in the same incident was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
The Metropolitan Police said, “Five males have been arrested in connection with the murder in Enfield. At this very early stage, there have been no arrests in the other three cases.”
Commander Neil Jerome, of the Met's territorial policing command stated, “We have certainly seen in recent months an increase in knife crime.”
He further added, “It is heartbreaking that, at a time when so many if 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 fifth who remains in hospital – that detectives will work tirelessly to bring to justice those responsible for such despicable acts of violence.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said, “The police were out in force helping people in enjoy our city's fantastic celebrations last night, and I thank them. However, it is horrific that knife crime has claimed another four young lives as the New Year begins. We will work tirelessly in 2018 and beyond to stamp out this scourge. I want to be absolutely clear: if you use a knife the full force of the law will be brought down on you. You will be caught and prosecuted.”
A woman, 20, is also said to have been stabbed in the face by another woman, while celebrating the New Year in Soho, London. The victim was taken to hospital however, the police reveal that her injuries were not life-threatening or life-changing. No arrests have been made in connection to this incident.
Following the death of the four young men, the Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Craig Mackey has released a statement. He urges Londoners to help tackle knife crime. He stated, “Tackling serious violence and knife crime in London remains a number one priority for the Met, but Londoners need to pull together to tackle the issue. From community weapon sweeps, proactive operations that happen daily and engagement with schools, Met officers are working 24 hours a day, 365 days a year as part of our firm commitment to reducing knife crime amongst young people.”
Sir Craig Mackey further said, “We need to find out why some young people think it is acceptable to carry knives, and this is where community organisations and local initiatives, charities, schools and educators, youth workers and families all have an important role to play in changing this mindset. We can all do more to protect young people, and I urge anybody who has information about those engaged in violent crime to speak to police. Your call could help save a life.”
