At 16:20 yesterday (August 17), police were called to a report of a stabbed male outside the Carphone Warehouse store in Streatham High Road, SW16.
On arrival, it became apparent there had been a fracas between two groups of males. Two males from the same group had suffered injuries. The first, a 20-year-old, was stabbed in his arm and buttock. The second male, also aged 20, was apparently struck over the head by a heavy object, believed to be a belt.
Officers established the stabbed male had been chased by a group and attacked with a knife. The knife was then dropped by the attacker, picked up by a friend of the stabbed male and used to threaten the attacking group, before being discarded in Woodbourne Avenue. The friend, a 22-year-old male, was arrested on suspicion of affray.
The attacking group had left the scene by the time police arrived. Officers searched Woodburne Avenue and discovered a firearm wrapped in a towel which, following CCTV enquiries, was attributed to the group containing the stabbed male.
As a result of the fracas, Section 60 (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) search powers were invoked by Commander Richard Martin for the following wards: Streatham South, Streatham Wells, Streatham Hill, Tulse Hill, Coldharbour and Vassall. The powers expired at 02:00 today (August 18).
Both the stabbed male and the male who had suffered head injuries were taken to King's College Hospital for further treatment. Neither were deemed to have suffered life-changing or life-threatening injuries.
While at the hospital, the male with head injuries attempted to hide a knife in a bag belonging to his visiting mother. Both the male and his mother were arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article in a public place.
There was another stabbing a few doors away, a couple of years ago. It will be interesting to hear if police think that more 'safe havens' such as those organised under the City Safe scheme in this part of the High Road, would help to address incidents like this.
