A murder investigation has been launched following the incident, the Metropolitan Police has announced
The Leader of Brent Council has described today’s fatal stabbing at its headquarters as “appalling and deeply tragic”.
The Brent Civic Centre in Wembley has been evacuated and will remain closed until further notice. London Ambulance Service (LAS) was called to the scene at 2:55pm on Tuesday (August 25) but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Council Leader Muhammed Butt said Brent “has been shaken” by the incident but urged people not to speculate or repeat any unverified claims whilst an active police investigation is underway.
His statement reads: “Today, Brent has been shaken by an appalling and deeply tragic incident at the Civic Centre, in which a person has lost their life. Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, their family and loved ones, as well as the staff, residents and visitors who witnessed what happened.
“The Civic Centre has been evacuated and will remain closed until further notice. I would urge people to avoid the area and allow the police and emergency services to carry out their work. There is an active police investigation underway – please do not speculate or repeat any unverified claims online. We are working closely with the Metropolitan Police and will provide further updates as soon as we are able.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to the police, paramedics and emergency services for their swift response, and to our staff for the professionalism, compassion and calm they have shown today in the most difficult of circumstances.”
The police have since issued a statement to say that a murder investigation has been launched following the fatal stabbing. Officers attended the Civic Centre on Engineers Way at around 2:30pm.
Officers attended with LAS. On arrival they found the victim, believed to be a teenage boy or man in his early 20s, suffering from stab wounds. No arrests have been made at this very early stage, and officers are making urgent enquiries to identify and trace those responsible, a Metropolitan Police statement adds.
Following the incident, a Section 60 order has been authorised, granting officers enhanced powers to stop and search people and vehicles. This applies to the Wembley Park, Barnhill, Tokyngton, Stonebridge, Roundwood, Dollis Hill, Willesden and Welsh Harp ward areas of Brent. The Met says there is not believed to be a wider threat to the community, nor is this incident believed to be terror-related.
Lead for emergency response policing in the area, Superintendent Chris Clarke, said: “This is an awful incident, in which someone has tragically lost their life. We are working to urgently identify the victim and inform his next-of-kin as soon as possible.
“An investigation is underway to establish exactly what has taken place and trace those responsible. We recognise the concern this incident will cause within the local community and are committed to keeping residents informed as our enquiries progress.
“In light of the incident, we have authorised additional stop and search powers to help prevent further violence, support our investigation, and keep people safe. There will be an increased police presence in and around the area in the coming hours while our officers continue their investigation.”
‘Deeply distressing’
Green Party Councillors representing Wembley Park ward, Cllr Iman Ahmadi Moghaddam and Cllr Najib Warsame, have also issued a statement following the “deeply distressing incident” to say their “thoughts and deepest sympathies” are with the parents, family and loved ones of the deceased.
They add: “We cannot begin to imagine the pain and heartbreak the family are experiencing at this terrible time. Our thoughts are also with everyone affected by this tragic incident. We will do our best to share information as we receive it, and we hope to engage with the wider local community after this tragic loss when appropriate in the coming hours and days.
“We are still awaiting further information from the police, and the Civic Centre remains a crime scene and has been cordoned off while the police investigation continues. We ask everyone to respect the cordons and allow the police to carry out their work.”
Brent Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Anton Georgiou, added: “I am disturbed and saddened by this news. My heart goes out to the victim and their loved ones. Thinking also of staff and visitors to Brent Council who witnessed what happened today. More details will emerge. For now, the victim is in all our thoughts.”
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