After three fatalities and a spate of knife crime in Wandsworth Borough, the Met Police and the leader of Wandsworth Council want to reassure residents the borough is still safe.

Detective Chief Commander Peter Laverick said: “These events are unprecedented for Wandsworth and taken together over such a short period of time has increased the impact.

“We have had three tragic events over the last four weeks.

“I understand that people will be concerned but Wandsworth is safe. We are committed and are working very hard with the local authorities to tackle this sort of violence.

“On the whole we are successful in doing so compared with the rest of London.”

Council leader Ravi Govindia said Wandsworth is London’s “safest borough”

He added: “However the deaths of these three young men is causing unease and distress locally and so it is important for local people to be reassured that all the public agencies involved in tackling crime are working extremely closely together to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice and that all our young people are protected and prevented from becoming either victims or perpetrators of such senseless actions.”

Spate of fatalities and knife attacks

Malachi Brooks, 21, was fatally stabbed in Surrey Lane, Battersea on March 28.

Mahamad Hassan, 17, was fatally stabbed in Ingrave Road, Battersea on April 23.

A 24-year-old was fatally stabbed in Melody Road on April 25.

A man was stabbed in the buttocks in Allfarthing Lane in an unprovoked attack on April 8.

A 21-year-old man was stabbed with a screwdriver in the head in Tooting had his bike stolen on April 25.

See related: Police appeal for information on ‘brutal’ murder of Malachi Brooks who was stabbed to death in Surrey Lane, Battersea

See related: Murder investigation launched after teenager stabbed to death in early hours in Ingrave Street, Battersea

See related: Murder investigation launched and arrests made after man fatally stabbed in Melody Road near junction with Allfarthing Lane in Wandsworth

See related: Man stabbed in buttocks in unprovoked Wandsworth knife attack

See related: 21-year-old 'stabbed in the head' with a screwdriver before motorbike stolen in Barringer Square, Tooting

DCI Laverick added: “We have had a huge focus on intervention and prevention.”

What is being done?

One arrest has been made in the case of Malachi Brooks, 21.

A man, 21, was arrested on April 26 on suspicion of murder at an address in Tooting. 

Two men have been charged in relation to the murder of Abdullah Hammia, 24.

Kearn Johnson, 21, of King Arthur Close, Southwark was charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon. 

Elliot D'Aguiar, 25, of St Donnatts Road, Lewisham was charged with perverting the course of justice. 

Both were charged on Sunday, April 30.

On April 29, Tyriq Aboagye, 18, of Westbury Road, Ilford was charged with the murder of 17-year-old Mahamed Hassan on April 23 in Sullivan Close.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Homicide Command are “working closely” with local officers to identify witnesses and pursue enquiries for each of the three murders in recent weeks.

Ongoing support is being given to the families and friends who have suffered losses.

There is regular consultation between each homicide senior investigating officer, the senior team at Wandsworth Police and local authority counterparts.

The most recent meeting was held today (April 28) and was also attended by Operation Trident and an Independent Advisory Group representative.

In the short term Wandsworth will continue to benefit from the assistance of specialist resources, notably the TSG and Police Dog Units.

Work between gang officers and schools officers and covert operations coordinated with the Local Authority are tackle some of the causes of violence such as open drug markets. 

Fear of repercussions 

People may be reluctant to come forward with information if they fear for their own safety.

DCI Laverick said: “Evidence is best if people are willing to come and speak and provide statements.

“We know people don’t want to do that but there is always a way to get the information across.

“Crimestoppers are not interested in who you are just what you have to say.”

Crimestoppers is offering a £5,000 reward for information on those in the borough who are responsible for knife crime that has caused serious injury or death over the past four weeks.

The independent charity runs a dedicated youth service, Operation fearless, which is aimed at young people aged 11-16.

The website explores the consequences of being involved in knife crime and information surrounding it.  It also provides a safe way for young people to pass on information about knife crime anonymously.

Ravi Govindia is urging residents to come together during this difficult time.

He said: “Now it is vitally important that the whole community pulls together to support each other and to also support the police and help them bring these killers to justice.

“Anyone with information about these incidents must contact the police immediately and pass on what they know. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously and in complete confidence.

“It is only by standing up to be counted that we will defeat those responsible for such dreadful and heartbreaking crimes.”