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Varndell Street, where the incident took place |
Birthday party-goer is stabbed during attack by gang of youths
Man suffers serious wounds and woman also hurt as estate’s problems continue
TWO people were stabbed when a Halloween night party was disrupted by mask-wearing youths in an estate where residents say they are frightened to go out at night.
A 40-year-old man and a woman, aged 20, understood to be his step-daughter, were seriously wounded in Varndell Street, on the Regent’s Park estate, on Wednesday night.
They had left a birthday party in order to remonstrate with a group of youths.
Witnesses to part of the attack described seeing the man sprawled on the road opposite the Ennerdale block and surrounded by at least three masked attackers.
One witness said: “There was shouting and when I could see what was happening there was a man in the gutter surrounded by three kids. One of them was beating him with a belt and there was blood over the road.”
The victim was taken to University College Hospital where he was treated for stab wounds to the armpit, hip and back and a suspected punctured lung. The young woman was also treated for a leg wound.
Detectives have already spoken of offering “special measures” to protect witnesses who are prepared to come forward – usually a signal that a community is intimidated or that police fear individuals might take matters into their own hands.
Residents of the estate, which falls under a police dispersal zone introduced after trouble involving gangs of up to 100 armed youths, told the New Journal that recent months have seen growing security concerns. In the cluster of shops around the estate’s main pub, the Sovereign, they said there had been
three stabbings and two robberies in the past three weeks.
One resident said: “I have started to plan my day. I can go out between 9 and 9.30 – that time is clear – then I get somewhere safe.”
Another said: “These are just kids – Asian, white, and a mixture of both. They do things like knock on your door and run away, like kids do anywhere. But then there are some who gather there (on Cumberland Market) and stand in groups of 50 or 60.”
The most recent Met police crime figures support their concerns. The Regent’s Park ward, which comprises the largely residential area between the Euston Road, the park, and Camden Town, has seen a rise in both robberies and in violent crime this year. It is afflicted by the most violent incidents per head anywhere in Camden outside the West End, and is the second worst area for robbery after Camden Town.
Police have arrested two people in connection with the incident, but released them on bail.
Investigating officer Det Con Katie Bays said “Camden police would like to thank members of the public who have already come forward. The support of the public is needed to take action against those involved and bring a prosecution. Witnesses should be aware of special measures to assist them in giving evidence but information can be given anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please contact myself or Det Sgt Steve Chappell on 020 8733 5929.” |
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