We are all devastated by the death of a 16-year old boy stabbed in West Ham Park
Today, I am thinking of a family who are grieving the loss of their 16-year old son. They are devastated following the senseless violent attack on their beloved child in West Ham Park on Sunday afternoon.
I am also devastated because through that act of violence, a family will now carry the pain of loss for weeks, months and years to come because all those hopeful possibilities of life that their son had is at an end.
Four teenagers have been arrested by the Police since Sunday’s horrifying attack, and that’s more young lives and families impacted by unfathomable acts.
This is not the life that I want for any young person or family in Newham. No one wants that; and that’s why through our work at the Council we will always be focused on making sure our borough is safe for all young people through a public health and preventative approach.
Our Youth Safety Board, Children Services and Youth Empowerment team are working with experts, professionals and partners to address violence facing young people because we want it to stop.
Young people deserve all those wonderful possibilities of life, to grow up in Newham positively supported to be their best and to thrive. As a community, working with the police, we must redouble our efforts to bring an end where violence is the only option for some young people. It is not.
I know the attack will have an enormous impact on our young people and our community, which is why the Council is supporting all those affected; with our youth workers specifically supporting young people who will be worried and scared following Sunday’s attack in a local park.
The police are continuing with their investigations, and if anyone has any information, please come forward and contact the police via 101, using reference CAD 5423/09JUL. You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.