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Four stabbed as gang warfare fears mount
Police given new search powers to curb violence
THE stabbing of four teenagers in a “running battle” between 40 youths has sparked fears of emerging gang warfare in King’s Cross.
Senior police used special Public Order Act powers to declare parts of the borough a zone where they believed there was a “possibility of serious violence” following the fight in Caledonian Road on Tuesday.
A 17-year-old boy with stab wounds to the back and a 14-year-old boy with cuts to his hands were taken to a north London hospital.
Two others aged 16 and 18 were also stabbed but received treatment at the scene and were among five males arrested. They have since been released on bail.
The fighting is believed to have involved a gang from outside the area and local youths.
Police could not confirm it was linked to incidents in Camden the same day, although there have been reports that it stemmed from an earlier clash over a football match in Market Road when a 17-year-old boy was taken to hospital with a broken jaw.
Islington police summoned a “gold group” of high-ranking officers to plan their response to the simmering tensions.
Within two hours of the stabbings, Public Order Act Section 60 powers, which allow officers to search anyone, had been put in place.
Extra police patrolled the area around Caledonian Road after the skirmishes between youths outside Orkney House, on the Bemerton estate.
A knife was discovered by police in a bin opposite Blessed Sacrament Church. Police were searching bins for other weapons.
Caledonian ward Labour councillor Paul Convery said: “I definitely fear there is an emerging gang scene. This was a running battle between youths which got completely out of control – a massively disruptive and frightening occasion.”
Youths were hanging around the junction of Copenhagen Street and Caledonian Road, he said. “Groups started to sort of taunt each other, bragging and shouting,” he added. “Things get magnified by teenage male hubris and bragging. Next thing you know they are wielding weapons.”
Cllr Convery believes the area attracts youths because it is territory unclaimed by gangs. “Paradoxically, it reflects how the area is being seen as a place which is safe,” he said. “These kids come here from all over the place – Camden, Haringey, Hackney. People are very shocked by all of this.”
He added: “The alarming aspect is that the kids involved seemed to be going through the motions of pretending they are a bit of a gang by appearing to be hard and dressing up. It’s a pity because kids should be doing better things with their lives.”
Cllr Convery has asked police to maintain a visible presence over the next few weeks, adding: “I want the council to play its part by sending more youth workers into the area. The young people need activities if they are going to be kept out of gangs.”
Officers from Islington CID, working with Islington and Camden’s youth engagement teams, are investigating the stabbings. Detective Chief Inspector Adrian Usher, who is leading the investigation, said: “Officers from Safer Neighbourhoods teams will be carrying out extra patrols in the area.”
Anyone with information can call Islington CID on 07766 781861 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. |
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