Yahoo News Police step up patrols and arrest 11 after weekend of violence in London which left three dead
Police are stepping up patrols across London after a weekend of bloodshed which left three dead and several injured.
Scotland Yard said 11 people had been arrested and two people charged following a wave of violence across the capital.
An 18-year-old died after being stabbed in Wandsworth during a daylight attack on Friday, while Eniola Aluko, 19, died after being shot in Plumstead.
A man in his 30s died on Saturday afternoon after being found with stab wounds in Tower Hamlets.
In a statement released on Sunday, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matthew Twist said high-visilibity patrols would remain in place on Sunday and the start of next week.
He added: “Firstly, our thoughts are with all the victims' families and friends who are facing the most devastating tragedy imaginable this weekend and indeed to their wider communities.
“We made a significant number of arrests in relation to the various incidents and officers are undertaking further activities, following up additional investigative leads to ensure that we achieve justice for the families of those affected by violence in the last few days.
“We have increased the coverage of the Violent Crime Task Force in targeted areas across London this weekend and officers from across the boroughs, supported by colleagues from specialist units, will continue to undertake high-visibility patrols which will remain in place today and into the start of the week.
“We have been utilising a number of operational tactics in targeted locations, to prevent further violence and to provide reassurance the communities in those areas."
He added: “The circumstances, causes and motives for any homicide or serious violence incident are different and unique, and require different investigative strategies and approaches.
"But we are taking a service-wide response and all officers right across London continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who bring violence to our communities."
The first fatal attack took place on Friday, when emergency services were called to Deeside Road in Wandsworth at 4.42pm. An 18-year-old man was found stabbed and died at the scene. He has not yet been named by police.
A 17-year-old from Merton, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and Mohammed Nadir Dafallah, 18, from Wandsworth, south-west London, were charged on Sunday.
Twelve minutes later on Friday, police were called to Plumstead where Mr Aluko was found critically injured after being shot.
He died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the neck and chest.
An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Sunday, while three male teenagers and a 17-year-old girl who were arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday have since been bailed pending further enquiries.
On Saturday afternoon, police officers and London Ambulance Service attended reports of an injured man at Alton Street in Tower Hamlets, east London, just before 2pm.
The man, in his 30s, had been stabbed and was pronounced dead at the scene - a field next to a children's nursery and a mosque - some 40 minutes after.
Just over an hour later, officers were called to North Square in Edmonton Green at 3.30pm to reports of an injured man.
Paramedics and an air ambulance attended the scene where a man, in his mid-40s, had been knifed in the chest.
He was taken to a north London hospital where his condition is critical but stable.
Three men were also stabbed in a separate attack in Clapham, south-west London, on Saturday morning.
Appealing for information, Mr Twist added: “The public also play a huge role in helping to both prevent and detect crime. I urge anyone who has information about an incident, or about someone they suspect to be carrying a weapon to get in touch. Information doesn’t just help detect crime but vitally can help prevent crime from taking place. Information from communities can help save lives.
“We understand people are nervous about anonymity but I want to reassure the public that any information provided to police is treated in the strictest confidence. However, if you don’t want to speak to the police, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. It’s 100% anonymous. They never ask your name or trace your call or I.P address
A City Hall spokesman said Mr Khan was focusing on supporting communities and he was "not going to waste his time" responding to the president's tweet.
