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Ministers failing to act over soaring murder rate, says Lammy Ministers failing to act over soaring murder rate, says Lammy
(35 minutes later)
David Lammy, the Labour MP for Tottenham, has accused the prime minister and home secretary of abdicating responsibility after another fatal stabbing on Wednesday night brought the number of killings in London this year to more than 50.David Lammy, the Labour MP for Tottenham, has accused the prime minister and home secretary of abdicating responsibility after another fatal stabbing on Wednesday night brought the number of killings in London this year to more than 50.
The latest victim, believed to be in his early 20s, approached officers in Link Street, Hackney, just before 8pm on Wednesday night with stab wounds. The latest victim, believed to be in his early 20s, approached officers in Link Street, Hackney, just before 8pm on Wednesday with stab wounds.
He was given first aid by the officers but died at the scene about 25 minutes later. There have been no arrests and a crime scene remains in place.He was given first aid by the officers but died at the scene about 25 minutes later. There have been no arrests and a crime scene remains in place.
A police forensic tent stood on Morning Lane at the corner of Link Street on Thursday morning. A youth worker close to the scene said he had heard the victim was a 20-year-old former pupil of the nearby City Academy. “There’s a system where kids are not scared of the justice system because it’s not harsh enough,” he said.A police forensic tent stood on Morning Lane at the corner of Link Street on Thursday morning. A youth worker close to the scene said he had heard the victim was a 20-year-old former pupil of the nearby City Academy. “There’s a system where kids are not scared of the justice system because it’s not harsh enough,” he said.
Lammy, who has been an MP for 18 years, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “What we’re seeing today is the worst I’ve ever seen it. There are parents, friends, families, schools traumatised and grieving. And there is absolutely no sign at the moment of reduction in the violence.Lammy, who has been an MP for 18 years, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “What we’re seeing today is the worst I’ve ever seen it. There are parents, friends, families, schools traumatised and grieving. And there is absolutely no sign at the moment of reduction in the violence.
“There is no single cause. What I’m concerned about is what drives the gangs in the turf wars, and that’s an £11bn cocaine drugs market. We are the drugs market of Europe, and I think the police and our country has lost control of that drugs market. You have children, as young as 12, 13, being recruited into gangs to run drugs across county lines.“There is no single cause. What I’m concerned about is what drives the gangs in the turf wars, and that’s an £11bn cocaine drugs market. We are the drugs market of Europe, and I think the police and our country has lost control of that drugs market. You have children, as young as 12, 13, being recruited into gangs to run drugs across county lines.
“I’m hearing nothing about what we’re going to do. Drugs are prolific, it’s like Deliveroo, they’re as prolific as ordering a pizza. You can get them on Snapchat, WhatsApp. That in the end is driving the turf war, and it’s driving the culture of violence that’s now becoming endemic.”“I’m hearing nothing about what we’re going to do. Drugs are prolific, it’s like Deliveroo, they’re as prolific as ordering a pizza. You can get them on Snapchat, WhatsApp. That in the end is driving the turf war, and it’s driving the culture of violence that’s now becoming endemic.”
Lammy said there were several “Mr Bigs” that headed structured organisations in the country. “It’s not young people in Tottenham who know where to get guns,” he said. “I do know from the police that there are big gangs, eastern European, Albanian, that traffic people and guns. It’s not being handled solely by the Met. We’ve cut our Border Force. The National Ccrime Agency, the lead agency in this regard, reports an increase in this activity.” Lammy said there were several “Mr Bigs” that headed structured organisations in the country. “It’s not young people in Tottenham who know where to get guns,” he said. “I do know from the police that there are big gangs, eastern European, Albanian, that traffic people and guns. It’s not being handled solely by the Met. We’ve cut our Border Force. The National Crime Agency, the lead agency in this regard, reports an increase in this activity.”
All this, he added, had to be considered in the context of inequality, with high levels of youth unemployment among black males and local authorities that had cut youth services and outreach programmes.All this, he added, had to be considered in the context of inequality, with high levels of youth unemployment among black males and local authorities that had cut youth services and outreach programmes.
“We aren’t debating this in parliament. I’ve not had a phone call from the home secretary, I haven’t had a phone call from the mayor, no one’s come to visit my constituency. This is happening across London at large. I’m sick of the political football, what I want is a political consensus.”“We aren’t debating this in parliament. I’ve not had a phone call from the home secretary, I haven’t had a phone call from the mayor, no one’s come to visit my constituency. This is happening across London at large. I’m sick of the political football, what I want is a political consensus.”
On Twitter, Lammy wrote:On Twitter, Lammy wrote:
Is a life in my constituency worth less than a life elsewhere in our country? I have had four young people lose their lives since Christmas and not a single phone call or visit from the PM or Home Secretary. Where is the political consensus on a serious strategy? Enough is enoughIs a life in my constituency worth less than a life elsewhere in our country? I have had four young people lose their lives since Christmas and not a single phone call or visit from the PM or Home Secretary. Where is the political consensus on a serious strategy? Enough is enough
Four hours before Wednesday night’s stabbing, a man in his 50s was pronounced dead following reports of an assault at a bookmakers in Upper Clapton Road, less than two miles away. Police believe the victim was involved in an altercation with another male who left the scene.Four hours before Wednesday night’s stabbing, a man in his 50s was pronounced dead following reports of an assault at a bookmakers in Upper Clapton Road, less than two miles away. Police believe the victim was involved in an altercation with another male who left the scene.
Wednesday’s attacks added to the UK’s soaring rate of knife crime, with fatal stabbings in England and Wales are their highest levels since 2010/11. The escalating violence has been especially acute in London, with 13 people killed within two weeks last month.Wednesday’s attacks added to the UK’s soaring rate of knife crime, with fatal stabbings in England and Wales are their highest levels since 2010/11. The escalating violence has been especially acute in London, with 13 people killed within two weeks last month.
The mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville, said there were multiple reasons behind the rise in violence, including reduced police resources and the role of social media.The mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville, said there were multiple reasons behind the rise in violence, including reduced police resources and the role of social media.
Two awful incidents in Hackney tonight, two lives cut short by violence. Thoughts w/ family & friends. Witnessed response of dedicated emergency services to fatal stabbing in Morning Lane. Complex causes of this recent rise in violence, requiring ongoing multilayered response 1/2Two awful incidents in Hackney tonight, two lives cut short by violence. Thoughts w/ family & friends. Witnessed response of dedicated emergency services to fatal stabbing in Morning Lane. Complex causes of this recent rise in violence, requiring ongoing multilayered response 1/2
inc. continued investment in dedicated youth work both from statutory services & community/vol. sector; close partnership between police, council & other agencies (like Hackney's Integrated Gangs Unit) but can't ignore impact of reduced police resources & role of social media 2/2inc. continued investment in dedicated youth work both from statutory services & community/vol. sector; close partnership between police, council & other agencies (like Hackney's Integrated Gangs Unit) but can't ignore impact of reduced police resources & role of social media 2/2
On Tuesday, 16-year-old Amaan Shakoor became the youngest murder victim in London so far this year after he was fatally shot on Monday in Walthamstow.On Tuesday, 16-year-old Amaan Shakoor became the youngest murder victim in London so far this year after he was fatally shot on Monday in Walthamstow.
His death came after that of Tanesha Melbourne, 17, who was gunned down around 30 minutes earlier three miles away in Tottenham. Both were apparently casualties of gang violence.His death came after that of Tanesha Melbourne, 17, who was gunned down around 30 minutes earlier three miles away in Tottenham. Both were apparently casualties of gang violence.
The Metropolitan police commissioner, Cressida Dick, has also blamed social media for the rise in killings, particularly among children, saying trivial disputes could escalate into violence “within minutes” when rivals set out to goad each other on the internet.The Metropolitan police commissioner, Cressida Dick, has also blamed social media for the rise in killings, particularly among children, saying trivial disputes could escalate into violence “within minutes” when rivals set out to goad each other on the internet.
Scotland Yard said it was currently investigating 55 suspected murders since the start of 2018, including the deaths of two children whose bodies were found in Sussex.Scotland Yard said it was currently investigating 55 suspected murders since the start of 2018, including the deaths of two children whose bodies were found in Sussex.
Martin Griffiths, lead surgeon for trauma at Barts health trust, said knife and gun injuries had become a core part of his work, with children as young as 13 coming in with wounds.Martin Griffiths, lead surgeon for trauma at Barts health trust, said knife and gun injuries had become a core part of his work, with children as young as 13 coming in with wounds.
“Some kids are gang involved, but more often than not it’s young people with poor impulse controls,” he told Today, adding that “lack of positive role models, lack of mentorship, lack of support of youth” were factors behind the rise in violent crime.“Some kids are gang involved, but more often than not it’s young people with poor impulse controls,” he told Today, adding that “lack of positive role models, lack of mentorship, lack of support of youth” were factors behind the rise in violent crime.
Gun crimeGun crime
Knife crimeKnife crime
LondonLondon
GangsGangs
DrugsDrugs
CommunitiesCommunities
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