A teenager stabbed to death in Lambeth last week does not mean the borough is losing its fight to reduce youth violence, according to one of Lambeth’s top cops.

Detective Superintendent John Corrigan said the killing of Oluwaseyi Ogunyemi, 16, was a “tragic blip” in a struggle to reduce teen violence that has brought noticeable results in the past year-and-a-half.

He said: “In 2007 in this borough we had seven teenagers lying on slabs because of youth violence and that really hurt.

“What happened on Monday was a bad night for us and a tragedy for his friends and family, but we must stress we are getting a grip on youth violence.”

Oluwaseyi, known to family as “Seyi” was found by police in Larkhall Park, Stockwell last Monday night suffering from stab wounds.

A second stab victim aged 17 was rushed to hospital by paramedics.

But Det Supt Corrigan said the incident came against a backdrop of a 33 per cent fall in youth violence last year - a sign a string of measures brought in by the Safer Lambeth Partnership, including Lambeth Council, was having an effect.

The last teen to die in violent circumstances prior to Oluwaseyi was Freddy Moody Boateng in Stockwell in July 2008.

“Youth violence is still a top priority. We aim to smash the gangs which youth violence is often linked to,” he added.

Lambeth Council, who work closely with the police on this issue, is pumping £4m into its Young and Safe programme for young people - the result of its 2007 Gun and Knife Commission.

Its aim is to engage with young-people at risk of slipping in to gangs and crime.

Yet Det Supt Corrigan warned it was not possible to expect serious youth violence to disappear completely.

“There will always be issues,” he said.

“In the old days people would only throw punches.

"Now with knives the repercussions are much more serious. They change lives forever.”

Crisdian Johnson, 21, and his brother Shane Johnson, 19, both from Wyvil Road, Stockwell, appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court on Friday, May 1 charged with murdering Oluwaseyi Ogunyemi and allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place.

They will appear again at the Old Bailey on August 7.