This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-46804698

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Waltham Forest stabbing: Moped crash boy, 14, killed Waltham Forest stabbing: Moped crash boy, 14, killed
(35 minutes later)
A 14-year-old boy has been stabbed to death by attackers who knocked him off a moped, the Met said. A 14-year-old boy has been stabbed to death by attackers who knocked him off a moped, in what police believe was a targeted attack.
The wounded teenager was found in Bickley Road, Leyton, in Waltham Forest, at 18:30 GMT on Monday.The wounded teenager was found in Bickley Road, Leyton, in Waltham Forest, at 18:30 GMT on Monday.
Detectives believe the moped had been involved in a crash with a car, after which three men got out the vehicle, stabbed the teenager and drove off.Detectives believe the moped had been involved in a crash with a car, after which three men got out the vehicle, stabbed the teenager and drove off.
He died at the scene and his next of kin have been informed. No-one has been arrested. He died at the scene. No arrests have been made and a cordon is in place.
The boy is believed to be the youngest victim to die on London's streets in the last year. There were 132 homicides in 2018, the highest total since 2008.The boy is believed to be the youngest victim to die on London's streets in the last year. There were 132 homicides in 2018, the highest total since 2008.
A cordon is in place and inquiries continue, the force said. Det Ch Insp Larry Smith, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "Everything that we have learned about this attack so far indicates it was targeted and intent on lethal force from the outset.
London violence- How a bloody night became a deadly year "We are doing everything we can to catch those who carried out this cowardly attack and bring them to justice."
London killings- All the victims of 2018 London's victims
"It has now been established by detectives the boy was riding a moped that had been involved in a collision with a car," a statement added. Motives and circumstances behind killings varied - as did the age and gender of the victims.
"It is believed that three males got out of the car and then stabbed the victim before returning to the vehicle and driving off." Police have not said whether they believe the murder was gang-related but all lines of inquiry remain open.
Residents told the BBC violence in the Leyton area had been getting worse, with one claiming there was an ongoing postcode war. Officers are trying to trace the vehicle used in the attack, which is believed to be a black Mercedes B Class with extensive frontal damage.
One woman, who did not want to be named, said she walked past the crime scene on her way home. Kerry-Ann Honeygahn told the BBC how a few weeks ago, her friend took a knife away from the boy.
"As I was going down, I saw police on the road. When it's that many police cars, you know something bad has happened." The 38-year-old youth mentor said she "wasn't surprised" to hear of the violence.
She said crime had been getting worse in the area, adding that she was hoping to move away. "Another young life has been taken on the streets of London."
"I think it's ridiculous. Every year, every month, something's happening - all these killings. I have kids and I don't see them growing up here. At the scene: Alice Evans, BBC News
"Like most people, we just have to raise those funds and move out." Around the corner from the crime scene is a narrow street with several garages.
Mechanics there say the boy used to come by for a chat, riding on a moped with another boy - thought to be either his friend or his brother.
Garage owner Anthony Anderson said he felt like a father figure to the "nice little boy" and was "very sad" to hear he had died.
"I used to encourage him to go to school, to stay out of trouble. He used to chat to me about growing up."
The 56-year-old, who has two children and worries "what will happen next", believes the killing was gang-related.
Of the 132 murders in 2018, 77 were stabbings, compared to 80 the year before.Of the 132 murders in 2018, 77 were stabbings, compared to 80 the year before.
In April, the Met set up a £15m violent crime taskforce, which in its first six months made 1,361 arrests, seized 340 knives, and recovered 258 offensive weapons.In April, the Met set up a £15m violent crime taskforce, which in its first six months made 1,361 arrests, seized 340 knives, and recovered 258 offensive weapons.
Met commissioner Cressida Dick told Radio 4's Today Programme on 27 December that knife crime in London had "levelled off", praising the "Herculean effort" of her police officers. Met commissioner Cressida Dick told Radio 4's Today Programme on 27 December that knife crime in London had "levelled off", praising the "Herculean effort" of officers.
London mayor Sadiq Khan also set up the Violence Reduction Unit with £500,000 of funding in September, to "treat violence like a disease". London mayor Sadiq Khan, who said he was "greatly saddened" by the latest death, also set up the Violence Reduction Unit with £500,000 of funding in September to "treat violence like a disease".
But it has been the subject of criticism and described as "just a sticking plaster".But it has been the subject of criticism and described as "just a sticking plaster".
Stella Creasy, the MP for Walthamstow, said she was "devastated" by the news from her constituency, describing it as a "terrible, horrific event".Stella Creasy, the MP for Walthamstow, said she was "devastated" by the news from her constituency, describing it as a "terrible, horrific event".
The Waltham Forest borough has had problems with gang crime and the local authority has spent £3 million on a four-year prevention programme.The Waltham Forest borough has had problems with gang crime and the local authority has spent £3 million on a four-year prevention programme.
It commissioned a report, published last summer, which found that so-called county lines drug gangs - which often target children and vulnerable youngsters - were operating in the area.It commissioned a report, published last summer, which found that so-called county lines drug gangs - which often target children and vulnerable youngsters - were operating in the area.
Ali Yamah, a tyre fitter who has worked opposite Bickley Road for 17 years, said the area could be intimidating at night.
"In my experience here there is drug dealing, this is the main source," the 48-year-old said.
"In the evening, now it's winter time, they put on masks.
"Sometimes we are afraid, people are afraid of this kind of behaviour."
Did you witness the attack? Do you live in the area? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form below