One man has died and at least nine others have been injured following a spate of stabbings in south London last night.
Police were called to five separate reports of stabbings in the Croydon area between 6.56pm and 9.12pm on Friday during a shocking night of violence.
One man who was injured on Wisbeach Road died at the scene, with witnesses describing how they rushed to try and save the man, in his 20s, near Crystal Palace Football Club’s Selhurst Park stadium.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed today that the stabbings are being treated as ‘isolated incidents.’
Two arrests have been made so far in connection with the bloodshed, both relating to a stabbing in Dingwall Road at around 9.12pm.
Police were called to five separate reports of stabbings in the Croydon area between 6.56pm and 9.12pm on Friday during a shocking night of violence. Pictured: Police at the scene of a fatal stabbing on Wisbeach Road, Croydon
Pictured: How the violence unfolded in Croydon, south London on Friday night
The Met said a man in his 40s was taken to hospital for treatment on a non life-threatening wound and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of affray.
Another man, 38, was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and has been taken into custody.
A Section 60 order granting police emergency stop and search powers was in place across Croydon until 8am on Saturday.
The bloodshed began at around 7pm, when officers were called to Chapman Road and a man was rushed to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
Then, 15 minutes later, four men in their 20s were taken to a south London hospital with stab injuries.
Pictured: A cordon is in place near a flat in Wisbeach Road after a man was killed in Croydon
Police rushed to the scene to reports of two males with stab injuries, and one man was pronounced dead at the scene
The violence continued at 8.08pm, when police were again called to reports of two men with stab injuries.
One of the men was rushed to hospital before officers arrived, and another was later pronounced dead at the scene.
At 8.51pm, two men were taken to hospital with stab injuries and one was last night in a life-threatening condition.
The final call was received at 9.12pm, when police arrested a man on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.
The victim, whose injuries are not believed to be life threatening, was also arrested.
One man who was injured on Wisbeach Road died at the scene, with witnesses describing how they rushed to try and save the man, in his 20s, near Crystal Palace Football Club’s Selhurst Park stadium. Pictured: The scene
The Metropolitan Police confirmed today that the stabbings are being treated as ‘isolated incidents’. Pictured: Police at the scene
Witnesses to the fatal attack near Crystal Palace Football Club’s Selhurst Park stadium today described rushing to try and save the man. Pictured: Wisbeach Road today
Witnesses to the fatal attack near Crystal Palace Football Club’s Selhurst Park stadium today described rushing to try and save the man.
Residents of a nearby block of flats reported throwing passersby a towel as they desperately tried to slow the bleeding last night.
The victim was later pronounced dead at the scene,
One witness said: ‘I saw him lying on the ground. He was in a bad way, but he was alive, he was moving.
‘He was injured on his left leg, three stabs to his left leg. I tried my best to help him.
‘I work in a care home so when I heard someone had been stabbed I went into the bathroom and picked up whatever swabs and stuff I had.
‘I saw lying there on the floor and by time I got there, the police arrived and started to dress his wounds.’
Samuel Henningham, 69, a builder who lives in a nearby block of flats, also spoke of the attack.
He said: ‘I came to the window and saw a guy run inside.
‘I was inside my place and my daughter said “something is going on downstairs,” so another guy rushed out to try and assist him.
‘He was lying on the floor and he was bleeding.
‘I think he’d been stabbed somewhere in the groin area.
‘My daughter threw a towel down to the other guy so he could wrap it.
‘He was still bleeding until the police arrived. It took them about 20 minutes.’
Mr Henningham said the victim was ‘between 20 and 30’ years old.
Another resident, who has lived nearby for more than 20 years, said she saw police and medical staff trying to save a heavily bleeding young man.
She said the man’s mother later showed up ‘crying and in pieces’.
The witness, who declined to be named, said the man was bleeding from a deep cut to his leg and there was ‘blood everywhere’.
She said: ‘I heard someone shouting but it’s normal because people drink outside, I came down and saw two police and two ambulance guys on the ground with him.’
She said she saw medical staff make an incision in his torso, adding: ‘They tried really hard to save him but there was a lot of blood.
‘There was blood everywhere, it looked like he was cut in the leg and they tried to stop the bleeding.
‘My husband was outside for 45 minutes and said his stepdad showed up and said he was 21.
‘His mum was here crying and she was in pieces. It is terrifying, my son is 19 and I’m worried for him.’,
The Met’s Gold Commander for London, Ade Adelekan, today confirmed extra resources would be deployed in Croydon this weekend to reassure residents.
He said: ‘While work continues to investigate the motivation and circumstances of these four incidents, I can say that they are being treated as isolated.
‘However, that does not make this series of violent incidents any less shocking and I understand that residents in and around the areas where these incidents occurred will be rightly concerned.
‘Extra resources were deployed last night and will continue to be deployed over the weekend. I would ask people to speak to those officers if you have any concerns or please call 101.
‘Violence has no place on our streets and I want to reassure Londoners that our officers will work tirelessly to locate and apprehend those responsible.’
Detective Superintendent Nicky Arrowsmith said on Friday: ‘Sadly, tonight we have seen a number of needless and completely abhorrent violent altercations, including one that has tragically resulted in a loss of life.
‘Officers will be on patrol throughout the night across the South Area Command Unit, with additional resources from the Violent Crime Taskforce and Territorial Support Group deployed to deter and prevent any further violence.’
Police asked anyone with information that could help officers investigating these incidents to make contact.
The night of violence began at 6.56pm in Croydon, with five separate reports of stabbings received between then and 9.12pm. Pictured: Police at the scene
A section 60 order granting police emergency stop and search powers was in place across Croydon until 8am on Saturday. Pictured: Police at the scene of a stabbing
The force said a fatal stabbing of a man in Wisbeach Road, Croydon, at 8.10pm continues to be investigated by homicide detectives from the Specialist Crime Command. Pictured: Police at the scene last night
Det Sup Arrowsmith added: ‘Our officers continue to work around the clock to identify and pursue offenders, bring perpetrators to justice, support victims, take weapons off the street, engage and reassure the public, and keep our communities safe in London.
‘But we are not complacent and cannot do this alone.
‘We work closely with our communities as they are key to understanding and knowing what is occurring locally.
‘We need to hear from anyone who has information about crime, those who carry a weapon, or those who exploit others for gain or revenge, while putting young people’s lives at risk – we need this information to help keep London safe.’
The force said a fatal stabbing of a man in Wisbeach Road, Croydon, at 8.10pm continues to be investigated by homicide detectives from the Specialist Crime Command.
The other incidents are being investigated by officers from the South Area Basic Command Unit and the Met confirmed none of the wounded sustained life-threatening injuries.
Steve Reed, Labour MP for Croydon North, said: ‘Absolutely horrific news that will devastate our community – thoughts with all those injured, and with the police and medical staff dealing with the situation.’