A 15-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man have been stabbed to death in north London.
The teenager died at the scene in Elthorne Road, Archway, after the stabbing at 11.30pm on Thursday, while the man was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead. A 28-year-old man was found with a stab wound that was not life-threatening.
Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader who is now the independent MP for Islington North, said he was shocked and appalled as he visited the scene on Friday morning within his constituency.
“We have to deal with the issue of knife crime and violence in our society,” he said. “We have to have a police force that is ready to help people but we also need that community buy-in where people simply say to anyone, carrying a knife will not defend you, not protect you, will not make your life better, it will make your life more dangerous and you more vulnerable.”
One young woman, who did not want to be named, said the incident happened outside her daughter’s bedroom.
“I’m still traumatised from it. I heard everything,” she said. “I heard shouting and screaming and it sounded like there were dozens of people involved.” She added that it sounded like a music video was being recorded at the time of the incident.
Another local resident said there seemed to be a lack of security in the area, with robbery and other forms of antisocial behaviour frequent.
Police said a large number of people were present when the attack took place and were urging witnesses and others with information to come forward.
The specialist crime command has launched an investigation, while a crime scene is in place and inquiries are continuing.
Officers informed the next of kin of both victims. They were being supported by specially trained officers.
There have been no arrests at this stage.
Ch Supt Andy Carter said: “My thoughts are with the families of the two victims who have suffered such an unimaginable loss in this shocking and unacceptable incident. We will support our colleagues as they investigate and members of the public will see an increased policing presence in the area.
“I urge anyone who has information that can help us establish exactly what has happened to approach those officers or contact us immediately. A man and boy have lost their lives and we must now work together to identify those responsible and remove them from our streets.”
