Two men were detained by police in Roehampton on Tuesday following a stabbing attack in public.
Member of the area’s Safer Neighbourhood Team witnessed the attack and ran over. Combined with a police dog that was on the scene, and with the help of bystanders, they managed to detain two men, one of whom was carrying a 10-inch machete, according to the Met.
Police officers are currently reviewing CCTV footage to see if they can identify other suspects. “Thank you to everyone who helped guide officers in the direction of the fleeing suspects,” Roehampton Police tweeted soon after, “your assistance helped remove a dangerous weapon from our streets.”
Two males detained following attempted stabbing in Putney today
— Roehampton Police (@MPSRoehampton) April 2, 2024
SNT officers first on scene after witnessing an attempted stabbing soon backed up by dog unit put in a swift containment detaining two males one in possession of 10inch machete pic.twitter.com/CeO24PIDhy
Roehampton and particularly the area around Danebury Avenue has become a frequent site for stabbings and other attacks, largely related to gang and drug crime. In March last year, a 29-year-old man was rushed to hospital after being stabbed on the street around 6pm. He survived the attack.
Police records indicate a hotspot of violence around Harbridge/Danebury Avenue, with eight violent and sexual offences recorded in the area in the January alone – the most recent month records are available.
The police list their own policing priorities in the area as:
- Reduce Drug/Gang related violence
- Reduce residential burglaries, and
- Reduce theft from motor vehicles
