Eleven people stabbed in ten knife attacks across London in 8 days - but only the murder was released proactively by Met Police

Eleven people were stabbed, one fatally, after ten separate knife attacks across the capital in just eight days.

The Met Police only proactively released details of the murder, leading to claims the true extent of knife crime in the capital is being downplayed.

The victim of a fatal stabbing in Hackney has been named as 20-year-old Jason Junior Romeo.

Police were called to reports of an altercation in Bodney Road at 5.59pm on Tuesday, 18 February.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service worked to treat Jason at the scene but he sadly died as a result of a stab wound.

Officers arrested a 25-year-old man and a 23-year-old man later that evening on suspicion of murder and possession with intent to supply a Class B drug (cannabis).

They were taken to a police station and were subsequently released with no further action in relation to the murder. They were bailed for the other offence. Enquiries continue.

Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen, leading the investigation in Hackney, said: “Jason had his whole life ahead of him but this senseless attack has taken that from both him and his loved ones. Our continued thoughts go out to his family, who are being supported by specialist officers.

“If anyone saw this incident, or was nearby, please do share that information with officers. We are especially interested in any footage from the surrounding area.”

The public can contact the police via 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with any information, reference CAD 5635/18Feb.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, who leads policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: “It is absolutely devastating for Jason’s family and extremely distressing for our communities that another young life has been taken away as a consequence of knife crime. We continue to work closely with our local community partners and Hackney Council to tackle the causes and effects of knife crime.

"I repeat an appeal I have sadly had to make too frequently. If any young person feels they need to carry a knife please speak to a parent, carer, teacher, youth leader or adult you trust and we can get you the support to step back from that decision safely.

"I will have additional uniformed and plain clothed officers working in the area as a consequence of this tragic event. While the investigation continues to work to understand the motive for this attack, we will work tirelessly to reduce the risk of any further violence.”

On Friday, 22 February, three men were arrested on suspicion of murder. The men, aged 22, 21 and 21 remain in custody.

Earlier the same day officers were called to reports of a fight between people in two vehicles involved in a crash in Watford Road, between North Wembley and Harrow, at 2.10pm yesterday.

By the time police arrived, everyone had reportedly left the scene.

Shortly after, a man attended hospital with stab injuries and remains there receiving treatment.

His injuries were assessed as non-life threatening.

A day earlier, a boy, 16, was found with stab wounds on Monday, February 17, after police were called by paramedics at 5.58pm to West Ham Lane, Stratford, east London.

The victim was taken to hospital where he is undergoing treatment, but his injuries were not deemed to be life threatening.

No arrests have been made and the investigation continues.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD 5537/17Feb. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Less than ten hours earlier, a man in his 40s was stabbed in Goodhart Way, West Wickham, south-east London, at 8.31am.

He was taken to hospital, with his injuries not deemed to be-life threatening, and no arrests made.

On Sunday, a man in his 20s also required hospital treatment, after a stabbing in Warwick Avenue, Little Venice, west London, at 1.15pm.

The force also reported they were non life-threatening injuries with no arrests made.

On Saturday, a man was left with “life threatening” injuries after a stabbing in Navigator Square, Archway, north London at around 10.30pm.

One other man was arrested in connection with the attack.

On Friday, a boy, 13, was arrested after another teenager was stabbed on a busy west London street.

The victim was found with stab wounds after police were called to Bramley Road, near Ladbroke Grove, at 7.35pm.

He was taken to hospital, where his injuries were found to be not life threatening.

A 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

Three men were stabbed and a fourth sustained a jaw injury at about 4am near Stratford Westfield shopping centre, the same day.

A man was arrested and the three stabbing victims were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "Shortly before 4am on Friday, 14 February, police were called to The Broadway, Stratford, following reports of a large group fighting.

"Officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service. Four men sustained injuries requiring hospital treatment.

"Three men – aged 22, 32 and 36 – were believed to have stab wounds. Their injuries have all been assessed as non-life threatening and non-life changing.

"A fourth man – aged 26 – was believed to have an injury to his jaw. His condition has also been assessed as non-life threatening and non-life changing.

"One arrest has been made, and further urgent enquiries are ongoing. Road closures and diversions remain in place."

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 4.04am to reports of a stabbing on The Broadway, Stratford.

"We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, an incident response officer, a clinical team manager and a paramedic from our tactical response unit.

"We also dispatched a trauma team from London’s Air Ambulance, which consisted of a doctor and a paramedic in a car.

"Our first paramedics arrived on scene in less than four minutes.

"We treated four patients and took them to hospital."

Last Wednesday another stabbing was picked up on social media after it went unreported.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at approximately 1pm on Wednesday, 12 February to reports of a stabbing in Goldhawk Road, (Shepherd's Bush).

"Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found a man suffering stab injuries. He was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital – condition awaits.

"A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder.

"A crime scene remains in place.

"Enquiries into the circumstances continue."

There was another knife attack in Vauxhall on Tuesday (above and top image) when a man tried to stab another in a car and after dragging him out of it, but fortunately, the victim sustained no injuries.

In a shocking video shared on X two men were approached by a hooded man holding a knife.

The attacker went towards one of them who tried to flee, picking up a spanner from the floor, to try to defend himself, as construction workers watched just metres away.

He was pursued around some parked vehicles, while the second man got into a car and pulled up to allow the victim to enter.

Before he could close the door the attacker grabbed it and lunged towards him with the knife inside the vehicle before pulling him out of the moving vehicle and lunging at him with the knife as he struggled on the floor.

As the struggle continued the victim's jacket was pulled off and dropped to the floor.

It was only then that the attacker picked it up and ran off, ending the attack.

Police were called but once they arrived at the scene, no one was there.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "We are aware of a video on social media in relation to an incident in Vauxhall.

"Police received a report of a stabbing at 3:18pm on Tuesday, February 11 in Montford Place, Kennington.

"Officers attended and carried out a search of the area. There were no signs of any injured parties or suspects at the scene.

"Police were later able to locate who they believed to be the victim of the stabbing.

"He reported no injuries. There have been no arrests at this early stage of the investigation. Enquiries into the circumstances continue."

None of the attacks were proactively released by the force on its website of social media channels.

The statements were provided after media outlets made enquiries.

It appears that the force only releases details of fatal stabbings proactively or is it wishes to run an appeal for information.

The has led to claims the true extent of knife crime in the capital is being downplayed.

A force spokesperson said: "In terms of what goes out proactively, it depends on numerous factors – such as appeals, but also the amount of media interest we get.

"We regularly update crime stats on our website which are available for anyone to view as and when they like."

Knife attack survivor Stuart Newton, based in Liverpool, who nearly died after being stabbed 12 times in 2019, said: "There are stabbings every single day in our country now and many go unreported - many because the victim who is lucky enough to actually survive doesn't present themselves at hospital.

"The Government needs to admit how big the problem is and actually change laws around carrying bladed articles."

Former Met Police detective Steve Morris said the force may not want to release details of all stabbings amid fears it could otherwise encourage more youths to arm themselves with blades for in the misplaced view it could aid their self defence due to a fear of knife crime.

The Home Office and the Office for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan declined to comment.