MURDER CITY: Boy, 16, latest London stab victim just week after police took 290 knives off streets

A 16-YEAR-old boy has been knifed to death less than a week after the met police took 290 knives off the streets.

A murder investigation is under way following a fatal stabbing in Hounslow, west London, yesterday.

Police were called to Raleigh Road at 9.07pm on Wednesday, November 24 to reports of a stabbing.

About 30 teenagers have now been murdered across the capital this year.

A Met Police spokesman said: "Officers attended along with paramedics from London Ambulance Service. "A male, believed aged 16, was found with stab wounds. "Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene a short time later.

(WARNING: There is some blue language in the video below:)

"His next of kin have been informed; formal identification awaits. "Homicide detectives from Specialist Crime have been informed. "There have been no arrests and enquiries are ongoing."

Between Monday, November 15 to Sunday, November 21, the force seized 290 knives and arrested 937 people as part of a national initiative against knife crime called Operation Sceptre.

Detective Chief Inspector James Shirley. said: “A young man has tragically lost his life to knife crime in horrifying circumstances. I would urge anyone who was in the area around Raleigh Road just after 9pm on Wednesday night and saw this incident to get in contact. You may have vital evidence that could help us progress this investigation.

“I would also ask local residents in the area or road users who were around Raleigh Road at the time of this attack to check any footage you may have captured on doorbell, dashcam or CCTV. If you can help please get in touch.”

Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, head of policing for Ealing, Hounslow and Hillingdon said: “This incident will have understandably shocked the local community and our officers throughout the West Area share that shock.

“A team of specialist detectives are already working at pace to find out who was responsible for this attack and I would urge anyone with information that could assist them to get in contact as soon as possible.

“Local officers will be in and around the area in the coming days and I would ask anyone who has concerns to please speak to them.

“I would also like to thank the residents in and around Raleigh Road who have been impacted by the work of our officers at the scene. I know they will understand the necessity of this work while we secure evidence and progress this investigation.”

There have been no arrests and enquiries remain ongoing. Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 7200/24Nov. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police today appealed for information one week on from the murder of 14-year-old Jermaine Cools in Croydon.

A murder investigation was launched on Thursday, November 18 after police were called to London Road, close to West Croydon Railway Station, at 6.41pm to reports of a fight involving a number of people.

Officers attended but no suspects or victims were found.

Shortly after 7pm, police attended a south London hospital after a 14-year-old boy self-presented with stab wounds.

Despite the efforts of doctors at the hospital, the boy died a short time later.

The boy was later formally identified as 14-year-old Jermaine Cools (above).

A post-mortem examination gave Jermaine’s cause of death as multiple stab wounds.

There have been no arrests; enquiries continue.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Vandenbergh, of the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: "We know that this was a murder which happened in a public place in the middle of a busy, commuter time and people will have witnessed Jermaine being attacked. I am asking for anyone who was in the area to cast their minds back to last Thursday.

"Were you at or travelling past the station at around 6.40pm? Did you see anything that might help police find the people responsible for Jermaine's murder?

“Jermaine was a central member of his family, and his parents have been left devastated and without a son. At the very least, they are owed an explanation for why their son was killed, and police will continue to work relentlessly to ensure the people responsible are held to account.

"If you can help, please get in touch with my team or leave information completely anonymously with Crimestoppers.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101, quoting reference CAD 6179/18Nov, tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. Information, including any footage and pictures, can also be provided anonymously via https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS21T27-PO1

+ Any young people who have information about violence, firearms or knife crime, can visit Fearless where they can pass on information anonymously – your I.P address will not be traced. Fearless is part of the Crimestoppers charity, and is also independent of the police.