The grandfather of a 16-year-old boy stabbed to death just minutes before New Year’s Eve on Primrose Hill has said knife crime is “getting out of hand” in London.
Harry Pitman was attacked after what police described as "an altercation" at the popular viewpoint in Camden, which was filled with hundreds of people preparing to watch the fireworks.
Speaking outside his home in Tottenham ahead of a vigil on Tuesday, Phillip Woolveridge paid tribute to his grandson as a “cheeky chappie” who did not have a “bad bone” in his body.
He told ITV that knife crime in the capital was out of control, and that the family were devastated at their loss.
“I don't know what's going to be done moving forward but I don't want Harry's passing to be in vain,” he said. “Something really has got to be done. It's a terrible shame, it's a terrible loss.
“The whole family are devastated, we cannot believe this. I am very very angry. I just hope whoever has done this gets the most serious punishment they can get.”
A 16-year-old boy who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Mr Woolveridge added of his grandson: “'He was finding his way in life finally - with all the confusion and a young boy growing up, but he was finally finding his way.
“Just got his first little job. He was that sort of person who could deal with people.”
Relatives on Tuesday held an emotional vigil for the “bright and promising” stabbed teen. Around 100 people attended.
A series of football chants relating to Tottenham Hotspur, who Harry supported, were sung by attendees at the vigil in Downhills Park.
One woman could be heard shouting: “Harry Pitman, he’s one of our own.”
The teen harboured dreams of following his great-grandfather into the Army and had set his sights on joining the SAS.
Scotland Yard has said Harry was the 21st teenager to be killed in London in 2023, 18 of whom were fatally stabbed.
It marks a significant rise on the 14 homicides in 2022. The worst year on record was 2021, when 30 youngsters lost their lives.
