Published: Tuesday, 6th July 2021

The Royal Borough of Greenwich is deeply shocked and saddened to hear of stabbing and subsequent death of a 15-year-old boy in Woolwich yesterday (Monday 5 July).

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

Cllr Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Royal Borough said: “This is a senseless murder and one that has shocked the community and the Council. When anyone becomes a victim of knife crime it is a life taken too soon, and I can’t begin to imagine the pain and suffering his family and friends are going through.

“Please be assured that we are working closely with the Metropolitan Police to find those responsible and bring them to justice as quickly as possible. And in light of concerns in the school community, the Met Police has issued notice of dispersal powers effective from 1pm today to 1pm tomorrow (Thursday 8 July) in the wards listed below.

“While knife crime is London-wide issue, we are seeing increased violence in Woolwich and other areas in the borough over the past few months.

“I am particularly asking parents and carers to make sure they know where their children are and to make sure they know the dangers of carrying any type of weapon. We need everyone to join forces and work together to stop knife crime.”

While some residents tried to help this young man and shielded him while he was receiving emergency treatment, other people took photos and videos which we are sickened to see posted on the internet. At the respect of the victim’s family and friends, please do not post or share photos or videos of the victim.

The Council continues it work in schools, Greenwich Young People’s Council and we also work in partnership with Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) on its 'Street Violence Ruins Lives' initiative. CACT run an awareness programme in schools, an estates-based programme for young people to engage them in positive activities, and targeted specialist work with repeat offenders who are at risk of custodial sentences.

If you have information that could help with this criminal investigation, please contact the Met Police by calling 101 quoting reference Cad 5748/05Jul. Or call Crimestoppers anonymous on 0800 555 111.

Dispersal power enables officers (constables in uniform and police community support officers (PCSOs)) to direct a person who has committed, or is likely to commit, anti-social behaviour to leave a specified area and not return for a specified period of up to 48 hours. This is effective in the following wards:

  • Glyndon
  • Woolwich Riverside
  • Plumstead
  • Charlton
  • Shooters Hill
  • Middle Park and Sutcliffe
  • Eltham South
  • Eltham North
  • Eltham West
  • Greenwich Peninsula
  • Woolwich Common