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Ilford stabbing: Three men killed near Seven Kings rail station in London

Triple murder investigation comes just days after figures showed knife crime at highest level in a decade

Jon Sharman
Monday 20 January 2020 02:19 GMT
Forensics officers in Seven Kings, Ilford, after a multiple stabbing
Forensics officers in Seven Kings, Ilford, after a multiple stabbing (PA)

Three men have been killed in an apparent mass stabbing in northeast London.

Metropolitan Police officers were called to a disturbance in Elmstead Road, Ilford, at 7.38pm on Sunday, where they found the three victims.

All three were pronounced dead where they lay.

The men are believed to have been in their 20s and 30s.

Chief Superintendent Steve Clayman said: “While enquiries into this tragic incident are at an early stage, this is likely to be a triple homicide investigation.

“I must retain an open mind as to any motive as we are in the early stages of establishing the full circumstances.”

The London Ambulance Service said paramedics had received a report of a stabbing outside of Seven Kings station.

A spokesperson said: “We sent a number of resources including three ambulances, three medics in response cars, two critical care paramedics, two incident response officers and our hazardous areas response team. We also dispatched London’s air ambulance.

“Sadly, despite the efforts of medics, three males were pronounced dead at the scene.”

No arrests have yet been made.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted that extra police enforcement powers have been authorised for the whole of the borough of Redbridge until 8am on Monday.

The dead men are yet to be formally identified, and officers are working on informing their families.

Post-mortem examinations have also yet to be arranged.

Last week The Independent reported how knife crime had hit its highest level in a decade, with one-fifth of crimes involving blades – more than 4,500 – committed by children.

Additional reporting by Press Association

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