Category: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Following the murders of two young men last night (Tuesday, 20 February) in Camden, the Commissioner Cressida Dick speaks about the Met’s continued commitment to tackle knife crime.

The Commissioner said:

“I have spoken all too often at the anger I feel at the senseless waste of life. Today, two more families are suffering a terrible loss and my thoughts are with them.

“The frequency with which some of our young people are prepared to take each other’s lives is shocking. For two young men to be murdered so close together – both in time and geography – makes this even harder to comprehend. Camden is a vibrant and diverse part of our city, the impact of these murders will be felt right throughout that community.

“My detectives are already investigating and I know that they will do all they can to catch those responsible. If you know something that may help then please let us know; if you would not normally speak to police then this is your chance to do the right thing.

“London must come together to make it clear that this cannot continue. We will not police our way out of this problem. There is a role for all of us – London’s public, our partners and the police.

“There will be young people out today who are carrying knives – stop and think. Do you really want your life to end? Or end someone else’s and waste your own life in prison?

“Whoever you are, if you have information, if you know another young person who is going out with a knife then help us protect them. Tell us. We will act.

“Today my officers will be making arrests related to knife crime, they will be using stop and search, they will be carrying out intelligence-led operations. My challenge to everyone in London is to ask each and every person to think about what you can do to help us tackle this blight on our city.”

Detectives from the Trident and Area Crime Command are appealing for information and witnesses after a man was shot in Westminster.

Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at 20:35hrs on Tuesday, 20 February, to reports of a firearms incident at an address in Old Pye Street, Westminster SW1.

Officers attended the location and found a 24-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken by ambulance to a central London hospital where his condition is critical. His next of kin have been informed.

Two people were arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. They are currently in custody at a central London police station.

Enquiries continue. Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has information that may assist police, should call Trident officers on 101 quoting reference 7136-20 FEB.

To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit the crimestoppers-uk.org website.

Police in Kingston were appealing for the public’s to trace a man who was wanted on recall to prison.

Steven Graham, 44 (30.12.73), of Kingston, was released on licence from HMP Wandsworth on 29 December 2017. An emergency recall to prison was issued on the same day after Graham breached the conditions of his licence.

Graham was arrested on the morning of Wednesday, 21 February. He was taken to a south London police station where he will remain until he is returned to the custody of the prison service.

We thank the public and the media for their assistance.

Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Craig Mackey, said:

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) fully accepts the decision of the court.

We have always accepted that serious mistakes were made in this investigation and it was only the courage of the victims coming forward, including these two claimants, that enabled us to finally convict Worboys. We know we should have done more in the initial investigation and today, as we did following his conviction, I unreservedly apologise to the victims we failed.

The MPS appealed, and this was supported by the Government, because police forces needed absolute clarity on the boundaries of police responsibility and liability for their investigations. We have always been clear that the appeal to the Supreme Court was not based on factual differences between us and the victims, but on the appropriate interpretation of European human rights law.

This appeal did not seek to recover the compensation and costs awarded to the claimants. Furthermore, the MPS agreed from the outset of the proceedings to pay the legal costs of the claimants whatever the outcome of the appeal – it was important that the issues could be examined through the courts without any financial risk to the claimants.

Victims of serious crimes deserve the best and most professional of investigations. It is the responsibility of police to prevent crime and when that fails, to bring criminals to justice. That is the expectation of everyone involved in policing. Investigations which do not meet the standards are rightly subject to internal and external scrutiny and accountability and we are continually looking at how we can improve and give the best possible service to victims.

The MPS and other forces will now consider the full implications of the judgement and what it means for investigations in the future. There is no doubt that it will have implications for how we resource and prioritise our investigations. We will have to consider how we balance our resources against the need to effectively investigate certain crimes. For example, we may need to consider moving extra resources into an Article Three investigation from other areas, such as fraud. That is the sort of question policing will have to consider as we look at our approach going forward following today’s judgement.

Detectives investigating a murder in west London have named the victim as they continue to appeal for information about the incident.

Officers from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command have launched a murder investigation after a man was fatally stabbed in Kensington.

At around 03:20hrs on Sunday, 18 February, officers on patrol were responding to reports of a large number of vehicles in Logan Place, W8, following a nearby party when they discovered a male with stab injuries.

They administered first aid prior to the arrival of London Ambulance Service.

Despite extensive efforts to revive him, the man was pronounced dead at the scene at 03:46hrs.

Next of kin have been informed and the victim has been identified as Lewis Blackman (10.11.1998) of Camden.

A post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell is leading the investigation. He said: “We know there was a party at a nearby address on Earls Court Road around the time of this incident. We are still working to establish any link, but it does mean the area would have been busy with vehicles and pedestrians at the time.

“I want to hear from anyone who was in the area; did you witness an altercation? Every fragment of information is beneficial to our investigation and I would urge anyone who may know something to contact police immediately.”

A 19-year-old man [A] was arrested near to the scene in connection with the incident. He has since been released under investigation.

Anyone with information can contact the incident room on 0208 721 4054, or call police on 101/ tweet @MetCC quoting ref 1177/18 FEB.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for help from the public to identify a man they wish to speak to in connection with a violent robbery in Acton.

On 23rd of January 2018, a 68-year-old man was walking home after visiting the shops on Acton High Street, W3 when he began being followed.