The haul of weapons confiscated at the weekend's Notting Hill carnival included knives, a Taser gun, CS spray and a baseball bat, police said yesterday.
Officers patrolling the annual event arrested 330 people and stopped a further 151 potential troublemakers from travelling to west London.
Although the Metropolitan police said their "proactive" approach had worked well, and more than a million people celebrated, the end of the street party on Monday night was marred by battles between police and 40 youths throwing bricks and bottles.
Chief Inspector Jo Edwards said the crackdown - which included deploying knife scanner arches around the tube network - had helped ensure most of the weekend's 850,000 visitors enjoyed the event peacefully.
Thursday, 4 September 2008
Turf war theory in knife murder of teenager
A teenager stabbed to death near the site of a planned Olympics party may have found himself in the middle of a turf war, it emerged yesterday.
Charles Junior Hendricks, 18, became the 24th teenager to be murdered in the capital this year when he was attacked near a bus garage in Walthamstow, east London, early on Sunday. He was taken to Whipps Cross hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Organisers of the London Olympics had intended to show the closing ceremony of the Beijing games on a giant screen near the scene, but police cordoned off the area following the stabbing.
Yesterday, his friends said CJ, as he was known, was not a gang member but the victim of rivalry between two groups.
One woman, visiting the spot where he was killed, said: "It's called gang war. He wasn't in a gang himself, but he got caught up in something that was going on, he was in between something."
Charles Junior Hendricks, 18, became the 24th teenager to be murdered in the capital this year when he was attacked near a bus garage in Walthamstow, east London, early on Sunday. He was taken to Whipps Cross hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Organisers of the London Olympics had intended to show the closing ceremony of the Beijing games on a giant screen near the scene, but police cordoned off the area following the stabbing.
Yesterday, his friends said CJ, as he was known, was not a gang member but the victim of rivalry between two groups.
One woman, visiting the spot where he was killed, said: "It's called gang war. He wasn't in a gang himself, but he got caught up in something that was going on, he was in between something."
Two arrested over stabbing in east London
Police have arrested two people in connection with the fatal stabbing of an 18-year-old in London early yesterday. The attack brings to 24 the number of teenagers killed in stabbings and shootings in the capital this year.
The victim was knifed near a bus garage in Walthamstow, east London, and was taken by ambulance to the nearby Whipps Cross hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
One of the two people arrested was a 17-year-old who was treated in hospital for a minor slash wound to his arm before being taken to an east London police station. The other person, in his late teens or early 20s, was also taken to an east London police station.
Celebrations planned in Walthamstow to mark the handover of the Olympic flag to London were cancelled.
Officers on a routine patrol saw two or three men running away from a grassy area in Walthamstow at 1.40am yesterday and then discovered a man with a stab wound, according to the Metropolitan police. The two arrests were made near the scene, off Selborne Road.
John Sandlin, an acting detective chief inspector, said: "I am appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the murder to please contact police with any information. The incident happened close to a well-lit bus garage in Walthamstow central. Did you see several males in the grass area near to the bus garage and close to Selborne Walk shopping centre? Did you see anyone run from the scene?"
Last night police revealed they know the identity of the dead teenager but were awaiting formal identification and confirmation that next of kin had been informed, before releasing the name. A postmortem examination will be held at Walthamstow mortuary today.
Friends of the teenager left tributes and flowers to him at the scene of his death. One note read: "To my darling ... will miss your smile so much. RIP babe, love you always ..." Another message on the same card read: "I will never forget you. You will always be there in my memories, in my heart."
The victim was knifed near a bus garage in Walthamstow, east London, and was taken by ambulance to the nearby Whipps Cross hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
One of the two people arrested was a 17-year-old who was treated in hospital for a minor slash wound to his arm before being taken to an east London police station. The other person, in his late teens or early 20s, was also taken to an east London police station.
Celebrations planned in Walthamstow to mark the handover of the Olympic flag to London were cancelled.
Officers on a routine patrol saw two or three men running away from a grassy area in Walthamstow at 1.40am yesterday and then discovered a man with a stab wound, according to the Metropolitan police. The two arrests were made near the scene, off Selborne Road.
John Sandlin, an acting detective chief inspector, said: "I am appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the murder to please contact police with any information. The incident happened close to a well-lit bus garage in Walthamstow central. Did you see several males in the grass area near to the bus garage and close to Selborne Walk shopping centre? Did you see anyone run from the scene?"
Last night police revealed they know the identity of the dead teenager but were awaiting formal identification and confirmation that next of kin had been informed, before releasing the name. A postmortem examination will be held at Walthamstow mortuary today.
Friends of the teenager left tributes and flowers to him at the scene of his death. One note read: "To my darling ... will miss your smile so much. RIP babe, love you always ..." Another message on the same card read: "I will never forget you. You will always be there in my memories, in my heart."
Three killed in weekend violence
An 18-year-old was stabbed to death near a London shopping centre this morning, the 24th teenager to die violently in the capital this year.
It was one of several violent incidents around the country at the weekend, with two more people killed in the West Midlands. One man died after being shot last night and another died of serious injuries following an attack early this morning.
The fatal stabbing happened at around 1.40am in Walthamstow, east London. The victim was later named as Charles Junior Hendricks.
A police spokesman said: "The victim - believed to be aged 18 years - was taken by London Ambulance to Whipps Cross hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival." Two youths were arrested near the scene.
In a separate incident in the capital, a man in his late 20s was in a serious condition in hospital today after being stabbed at around 6.30am in Brixton, south London.
In Birmingham, 24-year-old Dimitri Foskin died in hospital after being shot in Hockley Close, Newtown, at 10.15pm yesterday. It was the third fatal shooting in the area in less than a year.
West Midlands police also launched a murder inquiry after a 21-year-old man died from serious injuries received during an attack in Wolverhampton city centre. Police said the man was not shot but did not say how he died or where he was attacked.
It was one of several violent incidents around the country at the weekend, with two more people killed in the West Midlands. One man died after being shot last night and another died of serious injuries following an attack early this morning.
The fatal stabbing happened at around 1.40am in Walthamstow, east London. The victim was later named as Charles Junior Hendricks.
A police spokesman said: "The victim - believed to be aged 18 years - was taken by London Ambulance to Whipps Cross hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival." Two youths were arrested near the scene.
In a separate incident in the capital, a man in his late 20s was in a serious condition in hospital today after being stabbed at around 6.30am in Brixton, south London.
In Birmingham, 24-year-old Dimitri Foskin died in hospital after being shot in Hockley Close, Newtown, at 10.15pm yesterday. It was the third fatal shooting in the area in less than a year.
West Midlands police also launched a murder inquiry after a 21-year-old man died from serious injuries received during an attack in Wolverhampton city centre. Police said the man was not shot but did not say how he died or where he was attacked.
Notting Hill troublemakers face knife detector searches
Police patrolling this weekend's Notting Hill carnival will deploy knife scanner arches across the tube network, carry metal detector wands and use special dog units to create a "hostile environment" for criminals, a senior Scotland Yard detective said yesterday.
Video surveillance officers will also scrutinise live CCTV footage of the annual west London street party to pick out known criminals and troublemakers among a crowd of around 750,000.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, who is in charge of policing, said a handful of arrests had already been made during 24 raids in the run-up to this weekend and a number of knives and a gun with ammunition recovered.
Police will work alongside Operation Blunt 2, the Met's large ongoing anti-knife drive, while a number of specialist dog units will target those who bring illegal dogs to the carnival to use as weapons.
Two hundred new wands have been purchased to be used alongside existing kit by the 5,000 officers due to work at the carnival on Sunday and the 6,000 on Monday. "We are trying to make the carnival a hostile environment for anyone who wants to go to commit crimes and disorder," he said.
"As well as the warrants we've issued we have sent 200 letters to known people advising them not to come to carnival. I would say if you get a search wand put over you there's nothing to worry about, it's just to make sure everyone is safe.
"There are 750,000 people coming to carnival this weekend. The vast majority will have a good safe time. It's just the minority we want to deter."
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Crowther of the British Transport police said metal detection arches would be deployed throughout the tube network "sending a very clear message: don't bring weapons because we could be anywhere".
His sentiments were echoed by Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, who said: "There is no excuse for anyone to take a weapon to the carnival."
Video surveillance officers will also scrutinise live CCTV footage of the annual west London street party to pick out known criminals and troublemakers among a crowd of around 750,000.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, who is in charge of policing, said a handful of arrests had already been made during 24 raids in the run-up to this weekend and a number of knives and a gun with ammunition recovered.
Police will work alongside Operation Blunt 2, the Met's large ongoing anti-knife drive, while a number of specialist dog units will target those who bring illegal dogs to the carnival to use as weapons.
Two hundred new wands have been purchased to be used alongside existing kit by the 5,000 officers due to work at the carnival on Sunday and the 6,000 on Monday. "We are trying to make the carnival a hostile environment for anyone who wants to go to commit crimes and disorder," he said.
"As well as the warrants we've issued we have sent 200 letters to known people advising them not to come to carnival. I would say if you get a search wand put over you there's nothing to worry about, it's just to make sure everyone is safe.
"There are 750,000 people coming to carnival this weekend. The vast majority will have a good safe time. It's just the minority we want to deter."
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Crowther of the British Transport police said metal detection arches would be deployed throughout the tube network "sending a very clear message: don't bring weapons because we could be anywhere".
His sentiments were echoed by Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, who said: "There is no excuse for anyone to take a weapon to the carnival."
Boy was chased by gang before fatal tower block fall
A teenager who fell to his death from a block of flats yesterday had been climbing down the outside of the building to escape a gang, police said today.
Ahmed Benyermak, who fell from a building on the Trelawney estate in Hackney, east London, may have feared he was about to be attacked with a knife, residents said.
The 16-year-old began climbing down from a 13th floor balcony on the block, in Paragon Road, descending six stories before finding his way blocked by a metal grille and losing his footing, police said.
Ahmed, who had been due to pick up his GCSE results today, was pronounced dead at the scene at 4pm yesterday.
"This is a tragic and unnecessary death," Detective Chief Inspector Ian Stevenson, leading the inquiry, said.
"The victim was with a group of friends on the 13th floor of a tower block when they became concerned about another group of youths cycling towards the tower block. This caused the victim and his friends to leave the area.
"The victim was separated from his friends. He climbed onto the outside of the tower block via an open balcony and then climbed down several floors trying to escape.
"He reached the seventh floor, when he could no longer carry on. After this point, he fell to his death."
The other group of youths were described as black males. Some were wearing hooded tops, while others wore bandanas.
Neighbours said they had heard that Ahmed had inadvertently attracted the attention of a gang as they threatened someone else.
"I've heard that he saw a gang chasing someone else and he thought they were carrying knives," one said. "Apparently when he saw the knives he started to run towards the flats and the gang chased him."
Ahmed's headmaster at the Hackney Free and Parochial secondary school, Richard Brown, said: "We expected today to be about GCSE results, and what you then find is one of the youngsters who has worked very hard for their GCSEs has been the victim of this tragedy. People are very shocked and upset.
"The great achievement is he achieved 9 GCSEs. I've spoken to his family this morning, and they are most proud of the fact that he got a C in maths and a C in science. He also got two other C grades."
A post mortem examination revealed that Ahmed died of a ruptured aorta, the main artery taking blood to the heart.
An incident room has been set up, and police are appealing for witnesses. No arrests have been made.
Ahmed Benyermak, who fell from a building on the Trelawney estate in Hackney, east London, may have feared he was about to be attacked with a knife, residents said.
The 16-year-old began climbing down from a 13th floor balcony on the block, in Paragon Road, descending six stories before finding his way blocked by a metal grille and losing his footing, police said.
Ahmed, who had been due to pick up his GCSE results today, was pronounced dead at the scene at 4pm yesterday.
"This is a tragic and unnecessary death," Detective Chief Inspector Ian Stevenson, leading the inquiry, said.
"The victim was with a group of friends on the 13th floor of a tower block when they became concerned about another group of youths cycling towards the tower block. This caused the victim and his friends to leave the area.
"The victim was separated from his friends. He climbed onto the outside of the tower block via an open balcony and then climbed down several floors trying to escape.
"He reached the seventh floor, when he could no longer carry on. After this point, he fell to his death."
The other group of youths were described as black males. Some were wearing hooded tops, while others wore bandanas.
Neighbours said they had heard that Ahmed had inadvertently attracted the attention of a gang as they threatened someone else.
"I've heard that he saw a gang chasing someone else and he thought they were carrying knives," one said. "Apparently when he saw the knives he started to run towards the flats and the gang chased him."
Ahmed's headmaster at the Hackney Free and Parochial secondary school, Richard Brown, said: "We expected today to be about GCSE results, and what you then find is one of the youngsters who has worked very hard for their GCSEs has been the victim of this tragedy. People are very shocked and upset.
"The great achievement is he achieved 9 GCSEs. I've spoken to his family this morning, and they are most proud of the fact that he got a C in maths and a C in science. He also got two other C grades."
A post mortem examination revealed that Ahmed died of a ruptured aorta, the main artery taking blood to the heart.
An incident room has been set up, and police are appealing for witnesses. No arrests have been made.
Teenager may have been stabbed by drunken racist
Police are investigating a possible racist motive for the murder of a teenager who was stabbed in the throat at the weekend.
Nilanthan Murddi, 17, known as Niloo to his friends and from the Sri Lankan Tamil community, was killed in the early hours of Saturday in Croydon, south London. Police are still trying to trace a white man who is believed to have exchanged words with Nilanthan's group while waiting in a licensed minicab at traffic lights at about 1am.
Police said the man, who was also arguing with the mincab driver, returned about 30 minutes later and a fight broke out in which Nilanthan was attacked. He later died from a single knife wound to his neck. Detective Chief Inspector Tim Grattan-Kane said: "We remain dedicated to finding and prosecuting the person responsible for Nilanthan's murder, irrespective of whether the incident is racially motivated or otherwise. However, should that prove to be the case it only serves to further highlight the tragedy of this young man's murder."
Police said they had received an allegation concerning racist language used against Nilanthan and his friends.
According to one report, a drunk, white man was heard shouting "You fucking Paki" from a minicab before returning and appearing to punch Nilanthan.
Police said they were still trying to trace the driver of the cab, believed to be either a Ford Mondeo or VW Passat. The passenger, a white man in his 20s or early 30s and around 5ft 7in, was wearing a dark waistlength jacket and jeans.
A 31-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the murder has been bailed to return in September.
Grattan-Kane said: "We have now spoken to several witnesses and built up a good description of the suspect. Given that the suspect returned approximately 30 minutes after the exchange of words at the traffic lights it is highly likely he lives locally. The taxi driver has not come forward yet and it is vitally important we hear from him."
Nilanthan Murddi, 17, known as Niloo to his friends and from the Sri Lankan Tamil community, was killed in the early hours of Saturday in Croydon, south London. Police are still trying to trace a white man who is believed to have exchanged words with Nilanthan's group while waiting in a licensed minicab at traffic lights at about 1am.
Police said the man, who was also arguing with the mincab driver, returned about 30 minutes later and a fight broke out in which Nilanthan was attacked. He later died from a single knife wound to his neck. Detective Chief Inspector Tim Grattan-Kane said: "We remain dedicated to finding and prosecuting the person responsible for Nilanthan's murder, irrespective of whether the incident is racially motivated or otherwise. However, should that prove to be the case it only serves to further highlight the tragedy of this young man's murder."
Police said they had received an allegation concerning racist language used against Nilanthan and his friends.
According to one report, a drunk, white man was heard shouting "You fucking Paki" from a minicab before returning and appearing to punch Nilanthan.
Police said they were still trying to trace the driver of the cab, believed to be either a Ford Mondeo or VW Passat. The passenger, a white man in his 20s or early 30s and around 5ft 7in, was wearing a dark waistlength jacket and jeans.
A 31-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the murder has been bailed to return in September.
Grattan-Kane said: "We have now spoken to several witnesses and built up a good description of the suspect. Given that the suspect returned approximately 30 minutes after the exchange of words at the traffic lights it is highly likely he lives locally. The taxi driver has not come forward yet and it is vitally important we hear from him."
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