Red October –shock at number of stabbings
THREE PEOPLE ARE DEAD, 10 MORE HAVE BEEN INJURED IN WEST LONDON THIS MONTH
THREE people have died and 10 others have been injured in multiple stabbing incidents across west London in the first 18 days of October 2017.
On Monday October 16 two men lost their lives in separate brutal attacks in London’s streets – one a charity worker who was mugged by moped thugs and killed practically on his own doorstep, seemingly for his mobile phone.
Two years since Metropolitan Police launched Operation Spectre - aimed at reducing knife crime and the number of fatalities – the number of knife-related incidents continues to spiral.
In 2015-16, there were 4,374 offences recorded across London as “violence against a person with an offence weapon”, rising by 21.2% to 5,305 in 2016-17, latest data on the Met’s website shows.
The number of murders has remained steady, with 103 recorded in 2015-16 and 102 in 2016-17, while “other violence” has dramatically increased from 9,961 incidents in 2015-16 to 11,550 the following year.
In October 2016, the Met conducted the highest number of anti knife-crime activities in London boroughs since the operation was launched, taking 399 weapons off the streets.
One year on, the situation in west London certainly makes for grim reading.
A murder investigation has also been launched this month after Kamil Metler, 31, was found slumped in an alleyway in Hounslow on October 8 with serious head injuries.
Eight days later, Moldovan national Vitali Daecov, of no fixed address, was charged with murder.
Other knife-related incidents currently under police investigation include an attempted robbery in Hounslow, in which a man in an electric wheelchair was attacked with a knife after refusing to hand over a bag, on October 12.
A machete-wielding moped gang of six are being sought after a “smash
We must work with communities to help combat knife crime
An 18-year-old was stabbed in the shoulder, hip and bottom in Fulham on October 15. No reported arrests. and grab” jewellery raid in Regent’s Street, Westminster, on October 9.
In April, worrying statistics released by the Met showed a considerable leap in knife and gun crime in London – gun crime rose by 42% and knife crime by 24% yearon-year in 2016/17.
“Young people carrying knives are doing so for a variety of reasons including status, criminality and self-protection but only around a quarter are affiliated with gangs,” said Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt at the time. An 18-year-old boy was knocked off his moped and stabbed by up to five men in a horrifying attack in Barnet on October 10. It allegedly followed a dispute.
“While we continue to focus on reducing stabbings by taking weapons and dangerous offenders off the streets, prevention and diversion from knife crime is key.
“There are complex social reasons why more young people are carrying knives and this cannot be solved by
A man was arrested after another man, believed to be in his 30s, was stabbed in the leg on October 9. The arrested man has been bailed, pending enquiries.
A driver reportedly tried to run over the victim before he was stabbed in the neck on October 7 in Notting Hill. Two arrests.
18-year-old Saif Abdul Magid, from Ealing, died of multiple stab wounds in Neasden on the police alone, we must work with communities to help combat knife crime.”
Anyone with information about anyone carrying or using knives, tell the police by calling 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. October 6. Three boys, two aged 14 and another 15, have been charged with murder.
A 17-year-old was stabbed in the thigh at 3.30pm on October 6, in Northolt. Police presence was increased in the area over the weekend that followed. Three men have been arrested in connection with an attack on a 21-year-old man on October 5. The victim was flown to hospital by air ambulance.
An 18-year-old was stabbed following an altercation in Ladbroke Grove on October 1. No arrests reported.