Deadly machete found during stop and search by Tower Hamlets Police
This knife was found during a stop and search in Tower Hamlets. Picrture credit: Tower Hamlets Police. - Credit: Archant
This deadly machete was found on a man who was stopped and searched by police from Tower Hamlets yesterday.
Taofeek Lamidi, 20, was stabbed to death in West Ham on New Year's Eve. Picture: Submitted - Credit: Submitted
The weapon, which appears to be around a foot long, was discovered by officers working in Newham who uploaded the image on social networking website Twitter.
The officers were drafted into the neighbouring borough to help with patrol around the London Stadium area in Stratford, as the West Ham V West Bromwich match was taking place, when they noticed a man behaving suspiciously and stopped him.
He was arrested after the machete was found in his possession.
The find comes just days after four young males aged between 17 and 20 were all stabbed to death in unrelated murders over the New Year period.
The first murder took on New Year’s Eve in Enfield, when an 18-year-old was stabbed at 11.30am.
He was rushed to hospital but later died from his injuries.
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At around 7.30pm a 20-year-old, who has been named locally as Taofeek Lamidi, was stabbed to death in West Ham, and three hours later a 17-year-old boy died after he was stabbed in Tulse Hill.
The fourth murder took place on New Year’s Day when a 20-year-old man died in a double stabbing at a party in Islington, at around 2.30am.
A second man is fighting for his life.
Met Commander Neil Jerome said four deaths in such a short period was unusual.
He added: “There were small groups who chose to engage in disorder and violence, and whose actions have had utterly tragic consequences.
“I can assure Londoners that detectives will work tirelessly to bring to justice those responsible for such despicable acts of violence.
“As we begin these investigations and the provision of support to four grieving families, days like this serve to reinforce the determination of the Metropolitan Police to tackle knife crime and violence on our streets; especially offences committed by and against young people.
“I would urge anyone with information about these attacks, and more generally about anyone who routinely carries a knife, to urgently pass that information to police or Crimestoppers.”
If you know of anyone who carries a knife you can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
