The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that a 17 year old boy was stabbed fatally on Friday night in Brixton.
Police were called at 17:52 by the London Ambulance Service to reports of a male youth found with stab wounds in Adelaide Close, Moorlands Estate. He was en route to a south London hospital when he died in the ambulance at 18:42.
Next of kin have been informed but we await formal identification before naming him. A post-mortem examination will take place at Greenwich mortuary on Sunday, 4 March. An inquest will open and adjourn at a time and place to be confirmed.
At this stage it is believed the victim was with a friend on their way to his friend’s relative’s house in Brixton when they were chased by two young men and assaulted. The victim’s friend was not injured. The suspects were described as two young black men.
An incident room has opened under Detective Chief Inspector John McFarlane of the Specialist Crime Directorate.
DCI McFarlane said: “We appeal for anyone with information about this murder to come forward as soon as possible. Were you in or around the Moorlands Estate, Brixton on Friday afternoon or evening? Did you see or hear anything suspicious? Do you know who may have been involved?
“We are working closely with our borough colleagues to investigate the death by speaking to witnesses, examining CCTV cameras, and conducting forensic examinations of the scene. Our enquiries continue.”
Police are also investigating another incident on Friday 2 March in West Norwood where a 17-year-old boy was stabbed. Officers were called at approximately 13:15 to reports of a stabbing outside Norwood Bus Garage, Ernest Avenue, SE27.
Officers and LAS attended and the 17-year-old boy was taken to a south London hospital, where he is in a stable condition with serious injuries. A male aged in his late teens has been arrested in connection with the incident and remains in custody at a south London police station.
Both incidents are being investigated and SCD and Lambeth officers are working closely together to see whether or not the two incidents are linked.
Commander David Zinzan, in overall charge of policing in south-east London, said: "Following the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old boy in Brixton and the wounding of another 17-year-old boy in West Norwood on Friday, and other serious stabbings in Lambeth borough in the last few days, police have increased patrols in and around the borough.
“Extra officers have been drafted in to reassure and protect the public, and to act as a strong deterrent to anyone thinking of committing further violence in the aftermath of these incidents.
"I am liaising closely with Lambeth’s acting borough commander Detective Superintendent Martin Huxley and DCI John McFarlane from SCD, and our priority is to bring to justice those responsible, and to prevent any further incidents in the coming days and weeks.
"Witnesses have come forward and detectives from the Specialist Crime Directorate and Lambeth borough have been working around the clock to gather evidence and identify those responsible. Officers are investigating these two cases and are keeping an open mind over whether they are linked at this stage.
“We know the community support us in our efforts to solve crimes of this nature for the sake of victims, their friends and families, and for the community as a whole.
"Plans are in place across south London to prevent and deter further violence and other crime. If you are concerned about crime or safety in your area please get in touch with your local Safer Neighbourhoods team whose details can be found on our website www.met.police.uk, or by calling us on 101. In an emergency always dial 999.”
Nick Mason, chair of the Lambeth Independent Advisory Group, said: “In the last few days we have seen the tragic loss of a young person’s life and other incidents in which other young people have been seriously injured.
“Serious youth violence and knife crime has a significant impact on young people, their families, schools and the wider community. We need to more effectively address the attitudes and negative influences that support and lead to offending behaviour, tackle the perception that carrying a knife will keep you safe on the streets and provide better education to support young people to make the right choices.
“This is not just a problem for police. We all have a responsibility to reduce serious violence in our communities. It is key that all those who have knowledge of these incidents come forward and support the investigations.”
Anyone with information about the murder should call the incident room on 020 8721 4205 or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers - a charity independent from the police - on 0800 555 111.
No arrests have been made in connection with the murder at this stage.
Extra officers are working in and around Lambeth and a Section 60 Stop and Search power is in place across the borough for at least 24 hours.
