London murder rate surpasses 2017 total

THE murder rate in London reached a grim milestone on Monday when it eclipsed the total for the whole of 2017 with the death of a 62-yearold widow.

Named locally as Tasneem Sheikh, she was found dead at her home in Balham, south London, at 11.40pm.

A 66-year-old man, who was known to the victim, was arrested.

Her death took to 119, the number of homicides in the capital since Jan 1, higher than the whole of 2017, when, according to Home Office figures, there were 118 murders, excluding the 13 victims of the terrorist attacks at Westminster Bridge, London Bridge and Finsbury Park.

Among the 119 murder investigations in 2018, there have been 68 stabbings, 12 shootings and two deaths involving a knife and a gun. Levels of violent crime have remained a concern all year, with monthly highs in February and March, when 18 homicides were recorded each month.

In one month, the figures even topped that of New York, and Cressida Dick, the Met Police commissioner, has vowed to make tackling violent crime her number one priority.

Scotland Yard has launched its Violent Crime Task Force, which has targeted hotspots and has made more than 1,350 arrests in its first six months.

Steve O’connell, chairman of the London Assembly police and crime committee, called it a “depressing situation”.

He added: “This is a tragedy not only for those most affected, the family and friends of the victims, but for all Londoners.”