London has recorded the highest number of killings in a decade after a young man was stabbed to death in an alleyway in Tottenham.
The fatal attack in the early hours of Saturday morning brought the total number of suspected homicides – including cases of both murder and manslaughter – to 131.
This equals the level reached in the whole of 2009, based on Home Office figures for homicides recorded by both the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police.
However the total for this year still falls well short of the 154 homicides in 2008 and the peak of 200-plus homicides in 2003.
In the latest incident police were called to a report of a stabbing in Albert Place off Tottenham High Road at 1.20am.
A man in his 20s was taken to hospital but died of his injuries at 2.13am.
The Metropolitan Police launched a murder investigation and appealed for witnesses and information.
Detective Chief Inspector Glen Lloyd, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “We’re in the early stages of the investigation and at this stage we are working hard to piece together the chain of events that led to a young man losing his life.
“Only days before Christmas, a life has been senselessly taken and my team will work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice as soon as possible.
“I am appealing to anyone with information, no matter how insignificant they think it may be, to come forward and speak to police. If there is a reluctance to speak to police, you can of course contact Crimestoppers anonymously.”
The 131 homicides this year in London include 74 stabbings and 14 shootings. Just over a third of victims were aged between 16 and 24, and 24 have been teenagers.
Statistics on homicide can vary slightly, depending on the cases included by the organisation compiling the figures. The Metropolitan Police do not provide a list of each and every homicide it has recorded and the number can increase or decrease over several years as investigations take place.
Some suspected homicides can be “downgraded” and removed from the statistics, such as in the case of Oluwadamilola Odeyingbo, 18, who died in Chislehurst in January. Seven months later the Metropolitan Police said medical experts has concluded his death was the result of a pre-existing medical condition and not due to any suspected assault.
Additional reporting by Press Association
