This deadly machete was found on a man who was stopped and searched by police patrolling around the London Stadium yesterday.
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.
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.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here