Statement on knife crime in Wandsworth

Tooting Liberal Democrats are appalled at the rise in fatal knife crime involving young people in Wandsworth and continue to call for an increase in community policing.

17-year-old Malcolm Mide-Madariola was stabbed to death outside Clapham South tube station on 2 November, eight months after 20-year-old Devoy Stapleton was stabbed on the corner of Ellerton Road and Burntwood Lane, in Earlsfield.

Commenting on the latest tragedy, Tooting Liberal Democrat Spokesperson Olly Glover said:

“The senseless wave of knife crime not just in Wandsworth but across London is having a devastating impact on all our communities.

It’s clear that what is needed now is more community policing and a preventative approach to help London citizens feel secure, foster trust and enable the gathering of intelligence.

A combination of Conservative Police cuts and Labour Mayor's closure of police stations and mergers of police authorities are not helping our leaders to hear the very real concerns of people across our city.”