Extra Cops Swarm South London After Spate of Stabbings
South London is on high alert today as the Met Police flood the streets following a violent 24 hours. The Met’s Violent Crime Taskforce has joined forces with the South Area Command Unit and other pan-London officers to clamp down on knife crime. A Section 60 order is in force until 7:30am on Sunday, February 7, allowing officers extra search powers.
Fatal Stabbing Shocks Croydon
Tragedy struck Croydon on Friday night when a 22-year-old man was fatally stabbed on Wisbeach Road at around 8:10pm. Despite emergency services rushing to the scene, he was pronounced dead shortly after. Homicide detectives from the Specialist Crime Command are now leading the investigation.
Superintendent Andy Brittain, Deputy Commander for the South Area Command Unit, said:
“The violence we witnessed is senseless. Our thoughts are with the family of the young man who lost his life. I want to reassure the community that our borough is safe. Investigations are well underway and four arrests have been made.”
Multiple Stabbings Across South London
- Friday evening saw four more stabbing incidents in Croydon, Wandsworth, and Chislehurst, leaving several with non-life-threatening injuries.
- At 6:56pm, a man suffered stab wounds at a home on Chapman Road, Croydon. He is in hospital and stable. No arrests yet.
- At 7:15pm, four men in their 20s arrived at a south London hospital with stab injuries from a fight on Penwortham Road, SW16. Injuries are not life-threatening.
- Later that evening, two men in their 30s were stabbed in Jay Gardens, Chislehurst, and treated in hospital.
- At 9:12pm, a 40-something man was found stabbed in Dingwall Road, Croydon, and taken to hospital. Two men were arrested in connection.
Recent Arrests and Police Response
On Saturday morning, police responded to a stabbing in Hadleigh Grove, Coulsdon. A man in his 20s was hospitalised, and two arrests followed. Later in the afternoon, a 24-year-old was stabbed on London Road, Croydon. His injuries are not life-threatening, and an investigation is ongoing.
Superintendent Brittain added:
“Additional resources from across the Met have been deployed. Our local officers are working round the clock to keep the community safe. We thank our partners and community representatives for helping us shape our response.”
