Machete found in stop and search around London Stadium by officers on West Ham v West Brom patrol
This knife was found during a stop and search by Tower Hamlets Police. Picrture credit: Tower Hamlets Police. - Credit: Archant
This deadly machete was found on a man who was stopped and searched by police patrolling around the London Stadium 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 drafted in from Tower Hamlets to help with policing around West Ham’s ground during their match against West Brom.
The man was stopped and searched after he was spotted behaving suspiciously in the vicinity.
He was arrested.
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 including a murder in Memorial Avenue, West Ham.
The 20-year-old, who has been named locally as Taofeek Lamidi, was stabbed to death in on New Year’s Eve just before 8.30pm.
His death happened hours after an 18-year-old was stabbed in Enfield, and three hours before a 17-year-old was knifed in Tulse Hill.
Most Read
- 1 Wanted: Five people Newham police wish to speak to
- 2 Teenager from Newham found safe and well
- 3 The ex-gang member who turned from crime to become a pastor mentoring young people
- 4 Gainsborough Avenue stabbing: 14-year-old boy charged
- 5 Newham invites community to explore NHS jobs at local fair
- 6 Pensioner dies after being critically injured in East Ham crash
- 7 Two arrests after multi-vehicle crash on Barking Road
- 8 Burglars jailed for violent Upminster burglary where boy, 11, was shot
- 9 Firefighters believe cigarettes caused four-hour Beckton blaze
- 10 Tomorrow's lunar eclipse: How and when to see it
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.
