Greenwich reacts to Charlie Bartolo and Kearne Solanke killings

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

Greenwich residents feel “devastated” and “unsafe” after two teenage boys were stabbed to death just one mile away from each other in the borough.

Kearne Solanke and Charlie Bartolo, both 16, were found in Thamesmead and Abbey Wood in Greenwich on Saturday. Both boys died at the scene.

The Met Police have now arrested two 16-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of murder. One of the 16 year olds has been released on bail.

Paul Power has lived in Thamesmead his whole life. He said: “I know both the families of the boys who died.

“It’s absolutely tragic. You hear about these things happening almost on a weekly basis now, so having it happen on the street that you live in, to two lads that you know, is absolutely devastating.”

Mr Power said Thamesmead “definitely” needed more police patrolling the area. He said: “I’m glad I haven’t got small children any more. I wouldn’t feel safe with them being outside.”

Kathleen Brown, who lives next to where Kearne was killed in Titmuss Avenue, said her daughters knew the teenager’s family.

She said: “I’ve lived here 30-odd years. When I first moved here, it was nice. But not now. I’d love to get out, and so would my daughters.

“I made the biggest mistake I could, moving from west London to here.”

Ms Brown said that crime in Thamesmead has got so bad in recent years that she doesn’t go out at night any more.

She said: “Now your kids are afraid to go out. My daughters are keeping their kids in, and that’s not right.

“Kids should be able to walk around. They’re just too scared to let them out.”

Christine Hendry, who was also born in Thamesmead, said the events over the weekend were “scary”, but that the area gets a “bad name” overall.

The mum said that she feels safer in her neighbourhood than she does in most other areas in the borough.

She said: “It’s getting scary recently in the last year or two. Usually the boys that are living here have been raised here and their families have been raised here.

“There’s a lot of drug dealing and stuff going on, but nobody steps on each other’s toes. They leave each other to it.”

When asked how the rising crime should be tackled, Ms Hendry said: “I think a lot more policing [is needed] at the moment because of everything that’s going on.”

Magnus Amasiat said he feels more “unsafe” since the police station in Thamesmead closed, and that he’s “scared” to walk around the area.

He said: “If [police officers] were there, you would have a little bit of confidence. Because if you shout, something will happen and you will get some assistance.”

The dad added: “You get worried because I’m a parent. My son is 18. So when you hear these things, you kind of pinch yourself and realise it could be anyone. It’s so sad that these children don’t understand that a life taken doesn’t come back.”

After the events on Saturday, Councillor Anthony Okereke, leader of Greenwich council, said: “This is such a sad and shocking loss of a young life, and my thoughts, all our thoughts, are with Charlie and Kearne’s families at this awful time.

“Too many of our young people are losing their lives to senseless violence. Something needs to change, our young people deserve to grow old.”

 

 

Pictured top: The memorial for Kearne Solanke on Titmuss Avenue, where the teenager was stabbed to death (Picture: Joe Coughlan)