Council leader speaks of shock after ‘senseless murder’ of fifteen-year-old in Greenwich

A Council leader has spoken of his shock after the ‘senseless murder’ of a 15-year-old in Greenwich this week.

The teenage boy was pronounced dead at around 6pm on Monday after reports of a stabbing in Woolwich New Road.

Cllr Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “This is a senseless murder and one that has shocked the community and the Council.

“When anyone becomes a victim of knife crime it is a life taken too soon, and I can’t begin to imagine the pain and suffering his family and friends are going through.

“Please be assured that we are working closely with the Metropolitan Police to find those responsible and bring them to justice as quickly as possible.

“And in light of concerns in the school community, the Met Police has issued notice of dispersal powers effective from 1pm today to 1pm tomorrow (Thursday 8 July).

“While knife crime is London-wide issue, we are seeing increased violence in Woolwich and other areas in the borough over the past few months.

“I am particularly asking parents and carers to make sure they know where their children are and to make sure they know the dangers of carrying any type of weapon.

“We need everyone to join forces and work together to stop knife crime.”

Some residents tried to help the teen and shielded him while he was receiving emergency treatment.

But the council has condemned “sickening” reports of people posting photos and videos of the incident on the internet.

The council has urged the public to respect the victim’s family and friends by not posting or sharing any photos or videos of the victim that are currently circulating online.

The thoughts & prayers of everyone in @Royal_Greenwich tonight are with the family of the young person whose life has been lost in #woolwich

This senseless murder has devastated a family & our community holds them in our thoughts & prayers tonight.

— Dan Thorpe (@DanLThorpe) July 5, 2021

Police were called to reports of a stabbing in Woolwich New Road at around 5pm on Monday.

They provided first aid to the victim and called the London Air Ambulance but a 15-year-old boy was pronounced dead at around 6pm.

Another 15-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder after he checked into a South London hospital with a stab wound. The injury is not believed to be life-threatening.

The police are hoping that anyone with information or footage relating to the incident to contact them.

Detective Chief Inspector Perry Benton, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “We know that there were a lot of people around at the time who may have witnessed the events leading up to this incident.

“I’m sure people will have mobile phone footage from the scene and, if they believe it could assist our investigation, I would urge them to pass it on to us.

“One arrest has been made, but our enquiries are still at an early stage so I would ask anyone who knows anything about the motive for this attack, or who was responsible, to contact us immediately.”

Superintendent Petra Lazar, of South East BCU, said: “It is shocking and extremely saddening that a teenage boy has lost his life as the result of knife crime.

“My thoughts at this time are with the family of the boy who has died.

“This incident will understandably cause worry and concern to local residents and I would like to reassure them my officers are supporting the murder detectives in every way we can.

“Increased patrols will be carried out in the area over the next few days.”

If you have information that could help with this criminal investigation, please contact the Met Police by calling 101 quoting reference Cad 5748/05Jul. Or call Crimestoppers anonymous on 0800 555 111.

Dispersal power enables officers (constables in uniform and police community support officers (PCSOs)) to direct a person who has committed, or is likely to commit, anti-social behaviour to leave a specified area and not return for a specified period of up to 48 hours.

This is effective in the following wards: