Market traders call for urgent increase in policing after another stabbing sees shopkeeper hospitalised

Croydon market traders are calling for an urgent increase in policing after a shopkeeper was stabbed yesterday morning.

Witnesses told the South London Press that two boys – who looked between 13 and 15 years old – stabbed the shopkeeper while allegedly robbing his beauty shop.

A spokesman from the Met said: “Police were called at around 11.20am to reports of a stabbing in Church Street.

“Officers and London Ambulance Service crews attended and found a man suffering a stab injury – he was taken to hospital for treatment.

“Two men were arrested at the scene on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and robbery. Both remain in custody. 

“A crime scene remains in place.”

Jose Joseph, who runs Joseph’s Veg in Surrey Street – and knows the victim – said it took police officers 30 minutes to get to the scene of the incident.

A video taken at the time by Mr Joseph shows a crowd of business owners and members of the public gathered around the injured man who is bleeding from his side.

Mr Joseph, who is chairman the Croydon Town Centre Small Business Association, said: “The delay has raised significant concern among the business community.

“For months we have been calling for increased policing to ensure the safety and security of our businesses, employees and customers. These requests have been significantly overlooked, leaving our community vulnerable.

“This stabbing is a stark reminder of the pressing need for immediate action.”

Video shows a crowd gathered around the victim as they wait for police (Picture: Jose Joseph)

This latest incident took place just yards away from where Rijkaard Siafa was stabbed to death in neighbouring Surrey Street in April.

In the days after Mr Siafa’s death, small businesses in Croydon said they were “exhausted” by crime in the area, noting violence as well as rising levels of crime and shoplifting as key concerns. 

In 2023, 11 people were killed on the streets of Croydon.

Superintendent Mitch Carr, who leads for community policing in Croydon, said: “We acknowledge the concerns of those who work in Surrey Street and our town centre officers regularly patrol the area and speak to market traders.

“We also need this to be a full partnership approach, as improving the perception of safety in Croydon town centre cannot be achieved just by the police.

“We will continue to work closely with key partners including the local authority, Croydon BID and community organisations.”

The Met is appealing for witnesses to yesterday’s knife attack in Church Street. 

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD3082/11Jul.

You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Pictured top: The victim is helped by members of the public who hold a white shirt to his bleeding side as they wait for police (Picture: Jose Joseph)