More Newham murder investigations than in any other London borough, Met figures show
Floral tributes left outside the Stratford Centre after Beniamin Pieknyi was stabbed to death there. Picture: Ken Mears - Credit: Archant
There were more murder investigations in Newham than any other borough across the capital last year, Met crime figures show.
18-year-old Sami Sidhom. Picture: Met Police - Credit: MPS
In total there were 13 between April 2017 and March this year.
This compares to five in neighbouring Redbridge, four in Barking and Dagenham and six in Tower Hamlets over the same period.
Beniamin Pieknyi was stabbed to death at the Stratford Centre. Picture: Met Police - Credit: Met Police
Violent crime – including harassment, assault and grievous bodily harm (GBH) – increased by almost 7.5pc from 9,799 in 2016-17 to 10,524 in 2017-18.
On the numbers the Met’s asst commissioner Martin Hewitt said: “We continue to experience a very busy and challenging time against the backdrop of significant cuts.
Promise Nkenda was stabbed to death in Canning Town. Picture: Facebook. - Credit: Archant
“I am very concerned about crime rises, particularly of murder, violent and knife crime.”
The Met said it was doubling anti-knife crime efforts with more officers patrolling the communities most affected.
Champion Ganda was stabbed 11 times in an attack in Forest Gate. Picture: via Twitter - Credit: Archant
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“There are complex reasons why more young people carry knives. Knife crime cannot be solved only by the police. We need the help of agencies and communities who we know are behind us,” the assistant commisioner said.
The figures also showed there was a 29 per cent increase in robberies in the 12 months to March compared to the year before. In total there were 2,082 incidents between April 2017 and March 2018.
Taofeek Lamidi was stabbed to death on New Year's Eve. Picture credit: Met Police. - Credit: Archant
There were 1,673 sexual offences in the borough between April 2017 and March 2018, 677 of which were recorded as rape.
Recorded rape across the capital rose by 18pc between April 2016 to March 2017 and April 2017 to March 2018.
Moosakhan Nasiri was stabbed to death in Plashet Park. Picture: Met Police - Credit: Metropolitan Police
In London burglaries of homes and businesses rose by 12pc while robbery was up by 36pc. In Newham burglary numbers saw a drop from 2,545 in 2016-17 to 2,230 in 2017-18.
“Despite the challenges ahead, we continue to focus on bringing offenders to justice, making streets hostile territory for criminals, supporting victims and working with communities,” asst comm Hewitt said.
Joshua Bwalya died of stab wounds. Picture: Metropolitan Police - Credit: Metropolitan Police
Overall crime numbers rose 16pc in the borough between April 2016 and March 2018. This compared to a near 6.5pc rise in London over the same period.
Jordan Ajobo died after being stabbed in North Woolwich on November 8, 2017. Picture: Met Police - Credit: MPS
