Murder investigation launched as a national police operation targeting violent crime begins
An 18 year old has been fatally stabbed.
On the first day of a national campaign to target violent crime, a murder investigation has been launched in east London following a fatal stabbing.
Officers were called to Canning Town just before 3pm where they found an 18 year old with injuries in Coolfin Road. Despite the best efforts of emergency crews, he died at the scene.
His death follows two other stabbing across London this weekend. Yesterday two teenage girls were attacked in Lambeth and on Friday a 14 year old was killed in Newham.
As a result of this latest act of violence a section 60 order, which allows officers to search anyone without reasonable grounds amid a risk of serious violence, has been put in place for the entire borough of Newham.
It started at 4pm on Monday and will expire at 7am on Tuesday.
In a bid to tackle violent crime, Operation Sceptre was launched today which sees police forces across the UK work together on the issue until Sunday May 2nd.
As part of this officers will be carrying out weapons sweeps and patrols in violence hotspots, as well as targeting high harm offenders wanted for knife crime offences. Officers will also work alongside the British Transport Police to deploy knife arches and drug detection dogs to deter criminals in and around transport hubs.
Commander Alex Murray, the Met’s Violence Lead, said: “Throughout the past year, which has seen unprecedented challenges for Londoners and the police, our priority continued to be targeting violent crime and its drivers. Now lockdown restrictions are easing, it is vital that we maintain this focus and drive.
“This operation is an intensification of the work officers are already doing on a daily basis to tackle knife crime and remove dangerous weapons from the streets, and last year we saw a 26% reduction in violent crime across London. We are absolutely determined to keep violence levels down as we approach the summer months.
“The impact of knife crime on families and communities in London is devastating, which is why we are also asking for communities to work with us or give information about knife crime, or anything they may know about violence in their area, to Crimestoppers – your anonymity is guaranteed. It might feel like a hard call, but it could save the life of someone’s son or daughter.”