London on track for worst year of teenage murders since 2008, metropolitan police warn | UK News

The capital is “on track” to deal with the worst year of teenage murders in more than a decade, metropolitan police have warned.

Knife and gun crime could lead to the highest number of youth homicides since 2008, when 28 young people were killed, if violence among young people continues at the current rate, the force said.

So far this year, 17 teenagers have been killed in London – despite a 22% drop in serious violent offenses and a drop in the overall murder rate.

Suspects have been charged in 13 of 17 investigations in the capital – which left 15 dead with a knife.

More than two-thirds of the victims were black, the Met the police mentionned.

Figures show 12 young people were killed in May this year, up from a total of 14 in 2020.

This month, three teenagers died from gun and knife violence in just one week.

Taylor Cox, 19, was shot in the head in Islington on June 8.

Two days later Denardo Samuels-Brooks, 17, was chased and stabbed to death in Streatham and Jalan Woods-Bell, 15, was stabbed on his way to school in Hayes last Friday.

In response, the Met plans to step up police officers on the streets as well as patrolling outdoor spaces, parks, bars and clubs this summer.

“Peak activity” will take place in areas “known for severe violence and gang activity,” the force said.

A theft operation will also target suspects committing crimes using electric scooters and mopeds.

Mum Yvonne Lawson, who lost her son Godwin, 17, to knife crime in 2010, said: “It has been 11 years since I unfortunately lost Godwin.

“Eleven years later, mothers continue to lose their babies to knife crime in our capital. We should never become callous or complacent in the face of youth violence.

“My dream 11 years ago was to prevent another mother from reliving my pain.”

Pastor Lorraine Jones, whose 20-year-old son Dwayne Simpson was …