Murder rate in London 'soars by 20 per cent'

Police at the scene of a fatal stabbing in West Ruislip
Nigel Howard
Justin Davenport15 December 2015
WEST END FINAL

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London's murder rate is up 20 per cent this year, with a significant rise in the number of teenage killings.

So far there have been 112 homicides in the capital compared with 93 last year, of which 19 teenagers have been killed, compared with 11 in 2014.

According to Scotland Yard, nearly 20 per cent of all murders in London now have “gang associations”.

Detectives say they cannot account for the increase but point out that the total is still historically low — seven years ago, the figure topped the 150 mark.

Last year, the number of murders in London fell below 100 for the first time in four decades.

Senior officers issued a warning about “knife culture” in the capital. Fifteen of the teenagers killed this year were stabbed.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mick Duthie, head of the Met’s homicide and serious crime command, said: “These victims of murder are often very young men, some are in-volved in gangs, some will be carrying knives and have those knives taken off them and used against them.

“But most of these youngsters have been killed by other youngsters, and we have got to stop young people carrying knives.”

However, police say they are achieving success at solving murders, with a 99 per cent clear-up record so far this year. Mr Duthie said suspects had been arrested and charged in connection with all 19 teenage killings.

In some cases, multiple offenders had been charged with murder under the joint enterprise policy, in which other members of a group can be charged even if only one of their number delivered the fatal blow.

Domestic murders, involving a family member, account for 25 per cent of the total number of homicides.

Five young men in their early twenties have been shot dead in London.

Met homicide rates — which include murder, manslaughter, corporate manslaughter and infanticide — do not include figures from City of London and British Transport Police.

On December 6, the City force recorded its first murder in five years when 23-year-old father Kabba Kamara was stabbed to death outside a club in Leadenhall Street.

In October, John Breen, 53, died after being attacked at Stratford Tube station. Four teenagers have been charged.

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