Politics
Teenage girl, 16, fighting for life after being knifed alongside another teen in double stabbing in south London
FOUR teen boys have been arrested after a 16-year-old girl was one of two young women seriously hurt in a double stabbing outside a London takeaway.
The girls were knifed as horror erupted in broad daylight in West Norwood, Lambeth, south-east London.
Tow teenage girls have been rushed to hospital after a horror stabbing in London yesterday afternoon[/caption]
The girls, aged just 16 and 17, were hurt outside a takeaway in broad daylight[/caption]
Cops said four boys – all aged between 16 and 17 – have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
They remain in custody tonight.
An air ambulance landed on the roof of a nearby B&Q after cops were called to West Norwood Road just after 4.40pm.
The girls, 16 and 17, were found suffering from stab injuries by officers and an ambulance crew.
One collapsed with a knife still lodged in her back, witnesses say.
Members of the public then carried out first aid in a bus stop before both were rushed to hospital.
It was initially feared that one of the victims was critically ill with life-threatening injuries.
However, police later said: “The younger victim’s condition has now been assessed as serious but stable.
“The second victim’s injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.”
Forensics officers are combing the scene for clues[/caption]
An air ambulance landed on the roof of a nearby B&Q[/caption]
Four teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder[/caption]
Police were called to West Norwood Road[/caption]
Detective Sergeant Rob Merrett of the Met Police’s Central South Command Unit said: “This is a shocking incident involving two young female victims, one of whom remains seriously ill in hospital.
“It has understandably caused considerable alarm in the community.
“Officers responded immediately when the 999 call was received.
“Two boys were quickly apprehended near the scene, and urgent enquiries led to two other males being arrested later on at addresses in Lambeth.
“All four are now in custody and my team are conducting a thorough investigation to establish what has led to this unacceptable violence.
“I urge anyone who has information, pictures and video that could assist us to make contact immediately.
“It is imperative that we work with the community to fully establish what has happened here and bring any offenders to justice.”
Cemal Altunton, who works in the takeaway, said: “The girls had been stabbed after a fight at the back, behind the shop.
“Then I heard these people at the bus stop. One of them was on the floor.”
A member of staff at chicken shop Maeme’s, just a few yards from where the teenage girls were attacked, said: “I could see the girls. One of the girls, she still had the knife in her.”
In a statement released earlier, Met Police said: “Officers were called at 4.41pm to reports of an assault in Norwood Road, SE17.
“Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended.
“Two teenage girls, aged 16 and 17, were found suffering from stab injuries.
‘UNACCEPTABLE VIOLENCE’
“They were taken by the London Ambulance Service to a south London hospital.
“The first victim’s condition is being treated as life-threatening.
“We await an assessment of the second victim’s condition.
“Officers remain in the area and a crime scene is in place.”
Locals took to social media to share their shock.
One said that a victim was stabbed outside Turkish takeaway Efes, close to the train station.
“Someone just got stabbed outside Efes on West Norwood high street like 45 minutes ago – in broad daylight,” they said.
Another said they’d seen a victim bleeding through their clothes on the street.
Labour MP Helen Hayes said: “Appalled to hear of the stabbing of two teenage girls on Norwood Road this afternoon.
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“My thoughts are with both victims, at least one of whom has life threatening injuries, and their families.”
Anyone with information on the shocking incident is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference Cad 4970/25Apr.
To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
