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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Jamie Grierson Home affairs correspondent

'National emergency': young people killed by knives in 2019

The scene of Jodie Chesney’s stabbing in Romford, east London
The scene of Jodie Chesney’s stabbing in Romford, east London. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

MPs have said the government is failing to get to grips with serious youth violence, which they described as a national emergency. More than 100 people in Britain have been killed by knives in 2019, many of them children.

Jaden Moodie, 14, Leyton, east London, 8 January

Moodie, 14, was the youngest person to die in a street attack in the capital in more than year. The teenager was rammed by a car while riding a moped and then repeatedly stabbed by three men. An 18-year-old boy was charged with his murder.

Jodie Chesney, 17, Romford, east London, 1 March

Chesney was stabbed in a park where she had been spending time with a group of friends. Witnesses saw two males in the park who left at 9pm. The two males and the group Jodie was with did not speak to each other or interact. Jodie’s uncle Dave Chesney described her as “beautiful, lovely and quirky young girl with her whole life in front of her”.

Yousef Ghaleb Makki, 17, Hale Barns, Greater Manchester, 2 March

Makki was found by police slumped against a tree and was rushed to hospital where he died. A 17-year-old boy was acquitted of murder and manslaughter this month.

Jordan Moazami, 18, Birmingham, 24 April

Moazami was stabbed in the neck after a fight erupted near a golf club. A keen footballer, Jordan played for Continental Star FC in Birmingham and was looked up to by younger players. “He was an intelligent lad, a lot of people respected and liked him,” said the club’s manager. Two teenagers have been charged in connection with the death.

Tashaun Aird, 15, Hackney, east London, 1 May

Aird, an aspiring musician, was killed after a “fracas” involving a group of youths. Relatives said he was family-oriented, passionate about music and loved drawing. Three boys have been charged over his killing.

Yusuf Mohamed, 18, Shepherd’s Bush, west London, 26 June

Mohamed, 18, ran into a convenience store to hide after a fight but was followed when he left and stabbed to death. Acquaintances described him as “very quiet” with a “good upbringing”. Two 17-year-old boys were charged with his murder.

Kye Manning, 19, Croydon, south London, 11 July

Manning died from a single stab wound to the heart. Diners at a Pizza Express on the high street reportedly fled through a rear door after a group clashed outside. Police said five males had been arrested as part of the investigation.

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