Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
Headline: UPDATED: Teenager arrested as two murders in Camden are being linked
Detectives investigating two murders in Camden on Tuesday, 20 February continue to appeal for the public’s help.
Based on the proximity in time and locations, the nature of the attacks and developing lines of enquiry, both murders in Bartholomew Road and Malden Road, along with a serious assault in Aldenham Street are being treated as linked.
All three incidents are now being investigated by one team of detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command led by Detective Chief Inspector Paul Considine.
Officers arrested an 18-year-old man [E] on the evening of Thursday, 22 February, at an address in Camden on suspicion of two counts of murder and one count of grievous bodily harm. He is currently in custody at an east London police station.
On Tuesday night at approximately 20:00hrs, officers from the Territorial Support Group were in the area when they saw a silver Mercedes make off in Eversholt Street. The officers were in the process of following the car in their carrier when they were flagged down by a member of the public.
In nearby Aldenham Street, outside a block of flats, officers came across a 16-year-old boy who had been stabbed. They gave the victim first aid before he was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service. He remains in hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
At this stage it is believed that the victim was with another boy walking down Charlton Street when a group of about three men chased them down before stabbing the victim.
Four men – aged 24 [A], 23 [B], 20 [C] and 21 [D] – were arrested on Wednesday, 21 February on suspicion of grievous bodily harm in connection with this incident. They were taken into custody at a central London police station and have now been released under investigation.
Following the Aldenham Street incident, police were called by the London Ambulance Service at about 20:30hrs to Bartholomew Road at the junction with Oseney Crescent, Camden, to reports of a seriously injured teenager.
Upon arrival officers found a 17-year-old male who had been stabbed. He is believed to be Abdikarim Hassan, who lived in the Camden area.
Officers and members of the public gave first aid but sadly Abdikarim died at the scene. A post-mortem examination was completed on Thursday, 22 February, at St Pancras Public Mortuary and his cause of death was given as a stab wound to the chest.
Detectives believe that he was attacked nearby before managing to stagger out into Bartholomew Road.
Following the stabbing of Abdikarim, police were called at 22:13hrs to reports of a disturbance in Malden Road, near to the junction with Marsden Street. Officers attended and found a 20-year-old man suffering from serious stab wounds. They administered first aid prior to the arrival of the London Ambulance Service.
Sadly the man died at the scene. He is believed to be Sadiq Aadam Mohamed, who lived in the Camden area.
Detectives have established that Sadiq and his friend were chased by a group of four men along an alleyway leading to Malden Road and onto the road before they stabbed him. His friend was uninjured. The suspects then fled along Malden Road towards Prince of Wales Road.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Considine, leading the investigation, said: “What is clear is that there were three violent attacks, by a group of men armed with knives, within about two hours of each other and within about a mile of each other.
“I need the public’s help to establish the exact circumstances in which two young men were murdered and another seriously injured, and to identify the people responsible.
“Today, I am asking local residents or those people who were out in the area that night to think back – and if they saw something that may help us, please get in contact. I can understand why some people may be reluctant or nervous about coming forward but we need your help. We will treat your information in the strictest of confidence.
“I also believe that there are people out there who knows exactly who is responsible. I would urge you to do the right thing and tell us what you know. It is not too late.
“Two families are suffering a terrible loss, and you could hold the answers to what happened to their sons, brothers, loved ones, best friends…
“The frequency with which young men are prepared to take each others’ lives is shocking. We all have a part to play in preventing this. If you know something about these murders then please do your part in helping us with this investigation.
“One line of enquiry that we are urgently pursuing is that a blue van was seen in the area of the two murders. If you saw a vehicle that caused you concern due to how it was being driven or the people inside it then please get in touch with us.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the investigation team on 020 8345 3734, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Chief Superintendent Nicholas Davies, in charge of policing in Camden, said: “My thoughts are with the families and loved ones at this devastating time for them. Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are carrying out an investigation to catch the people responsible. This investigation is fast paced and progressing daily.
“Tuesday was a shocking night for all of us in Camden. The violence used by young men against each other in such a short time period and small area has rightly caused concern in such a diverse and vibrant borough.
“We are doing all we can to address that concern. For the last three days we have had extra officers on duty – highly visible and in plain clothes – carrying out a range of intelligence led operations and patrols. This will continue.
“Section 60 – an intelligence led pre-authorised power to stop and search – has been continually reviewed and put in place. My officers have been on the streets using this power really effectively, seizing knives, stopping cars of young men carrying weapons and making arrests. That will continue for as long as we have the intelligence it is necessary. Local officers are being supported by specialist teams.
“I have also met with community leaders to brief them on our response, and update as much as is possible on the progress of the murder investigation. If you have concerns please talk to your local officer or come to one of our community meetings.
“Violence has no place on our streets. If you are carrying a knife in Camden or linked to gang activity you need to know that we can and will take action against you.
“I want the community of Camden to help us tackle this problem. You will see things, you will hear things and there are members of our community who do have information about our young people carrying knives on our streets. Tell us, we will take action, and we will do absolutely all we can to keep our streets safe.”