One man dead and 12 injured amid string of brawls in Croydon area in 24 hours

A man has been stabbed to death in Croydon in a spate of violent outbreaks which has left 12 injured, police have said.

Metropolitan police officers responded to seven reports of stabbings in Croydon within less than three hours on Friday evening.

A fatal stabbing that happened in Wisbeach Road, Croydon at approximately 20:10hrs is being investigated by homicide detectives from the Specialist Crime Command.

The other incidents will be investigated by local officers from the South Area Basic Command Unit. None of those injured in these incidents are in a life threatening condition.

Paramedics fought to save the man’s life but he was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.

Five of the attacks happened in the space of three hours around that fatal stabbing.

Police were called at 6.56pm on Friday, 5 February to reports of a man suffering a stab injury at a home in Chapman Road, Croydon. He was taken to hospital for treatment – his condition is not life threatening. Officers continue work to establish the scene of the incident where the victim was stabbed. There have been no arrests.

At 7.15pm, four men – all aged in their 20s – arrived at a South London hospital suffering stab injuries. They received their injuries following an altercation in the Penwortham Road area of Thornton Heath. None of their injuries are life threatening and there have been no arrests.

At 8.15pm, police received a report of two men – both aged in their 30s – arriving at a South London hospital with stab injuries. It is believed both men sustained their injuries during an incident in Jay Gardens, Chislehurst. Neither man’s injuries are life threatening. There have been no arrests.

At 9.12pm police were called to an address in Dingwall Road, Croydon. A man, aged in his 40s, was found suffering a stab wound. He was taken to hospital for treatment where he remains – his condition is not life threatening. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of affray.

A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of GBH and remains in custody.

At 11.20am on Saturday, 6 February, officers were called to reports of a fight in Hadleigh Grove, Couldson. They found a man in his 20s who had been stabbed. He was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Two men have been arrested in relation to that incident.

Shortly after 3pm, police were alerted by London Ambulance Service that a 24-year-old man had been stabbed in London Road, Croydon. He was taken to hospital where his injuries were assessed as non-life threatening. A crime scene is in place and an investigation is underway.

On Saturday afternoon, senior officers from the South Area Command Unit met with key partners and representatives from across the community to discuss the policing response in the coming days.

The force said there is no evidence to suggest the stabbings were connected. Officers were patrolling the area all last night, and police have been granted additional stop and search powers until Saturday morning.

Additional police officers were deployed to South London. Officers from the Met’s Violent Crime Taskforce worked alongside South Area Command Unit officers in addition to other pan-London resources. A Section 60 order was in place until 7.30am today, Sunday, 7 February

Two males have been left with life-threatening injuries following the incidents, while another eight have also been wounded.

Superintendent Andy Brittain, Deputy Commander for the South Area Command Unit, said: “I understand that the events of the past 24 hours will have caused concern for many people in our local community. The violence we have witnessed is senseless and our thoughts are with the family of the 22-year-old man who tragically lost his life.

“I want to reassure the community that our borough is safe. Investigations are well underway and four arrests have been made. I also want to clarify that most of the people involved in these incidents have been adults.

“Your local officers are out on the ground keeping the community safe and additional resources from across the Met have already been deployed to the area. A Section 60 order is in place which will provide officers with additional search powers.

“I’d like to thank our key partners in the community for the part they are playing in shaping our response to these incidents.”

Det Supt Nicky Arrowsmith said: “Sadly, we have seen a number of needless and completely abhorrent violent altercations, including one that has tragically resulted in a loss of life.”

He urged anyone with information to come forward as soon as possible.

Arrowsmith added: “Tackling violent crime in London remains the top priority for everyone in the Metropolitan police service. We have dedicated resources working to prevent, deter and tackle violence in all its forms, day and night and are utilising all available tactics and powers.

“Our officers continue to work around the clock to identify and pursue offenders, bring perpetrators to justice, support victims, take weapons off the street, engage and reassure the public, and keep our communities safe in London.

He said the force needs to work closely with local communities to tackle violence. He called on anyone with information about crime – including people carrying weapons – to contact the police.

Chronology of incidents:

At 6.56pm on Friday, 5 February, police were called to reports of a man suffering a stab injury at a residential address in Chapman Road, Croydon. He was taken to hospital for treatment – his condition was not life threatening. Officers continue work to establish the scene of the incident where the victim was stabbed. There have been no arrests.

At 7.15pm on Friday, 5 February, four men – all aged in their 20s – attended a south London hospital suffering stab injuries. It has now been established that they received their injuries following an altercation in the Penwortham Road area of SW16. None of their injuries were life threatening and there have been no arrests.

At 8.10pm on Friday, 5 February, police were called following an incident at a residential address in Wisbeach Road, SE25. Officers and London Ambulance Service attended the scene and found a 22-year-old who had been stabbed. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 21:09hrs. A second man sustained non-life threatening injuries in this incident.

At 8.51pm on Friday, 5 February, police received a report of two men – both aged in their 30s – attending a south London hospital with stab injuries. It is believed both men sustained their injuries during an incident in Jay Gardens, Chislehurst. Neither man’s injuries were life threatening. There have been no arrests.

At 9.12pm on Friday, 5 February, police were called to an address in Dingwall Road, Croydon. A man, aged in his 40s, was found suffering a stab wound. He was taken to hospital for treatment where his condition was assessed as non life threatening. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of affray. A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of GBH and remains in custody.

At 11.20am on Saturday, 6 February, officers were called to reports of a fight in Hadleigh Grove, Couldson. They found a man in his 20s who had been stabbed. He was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Two men have been arrested in relation to that incident.

At 3.07pm, police were alerted by London Ambulance Service that a 24-year-old man had been stabbed in London Road, Croydon. He was taken to hospital where his injuries were assessed as non-life threatening. A crime scene is in place and an investigation is underway.