Brent Council’s leader has urged anyone carrying a knife in public to dispose of it safely in one of the borough’s amnesty bins
Brent Civic Centre has reopened to the public today (September 1) following the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old last week. The council leader said he has “barely slept” since the tragic incident and is urging anyone carrying a knife to “surrender it safely” in one of the borough’s amnesty bins.
Brent Council’s headquarters in Wembley was evacuated last Tuesday (August 25) following the incident and had since remained closed to the public. London Ambulance Service (LAS) was called to the civic centre but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The building had remained closed whilst a police investigation took place into the death of the 17-year-old boy – later named as David Wynter. A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with David’s murder on August 27 before two further arrests were made.
Jahquarn St Hillaire, 18, of Preston Road, Wembley, and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons but is from the Wembley area, were both charged on Saturday, August 29, – also on charges of murder and possession of an offensive weapon – and were remanded to appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Monday, August 31).
A 20-year-old man, Diego Farquharson, of Birchen Grove, NW9, has since been charged with assisting an offender and remained in custody until the hearing.
Ahead of the reopening of the Civic Centre, Brent Council Leader, Cllr Muhammed Butt, said he had “barely slept since the terrible and tragic events” and sent thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of David, who he added “had his whole life ahead of him”.
Cllr Butt said: “David lost his life following this terrible incident, and I am deeply sorry that despite the efforts of those who rushed to help him, he could not be saved. The council staff and members of the public who provided medical aid, and used bleed kits in an effort to save his life are heroes. They showed qualities we should all be proud of, courage, compassion, and decency.”
He added: “I have one heartfelt plea: if you know anything more that could help the police understand what happened, please come forward. However small or insignificant you think that information may be, tell the police. David’s family deserves answers and justice must be allowed to take its course.”
Brent Council is also urging anyone “going out into the world carrying a knife” to use one of the borough’s knife amnesty bins. There are eight such bins located throughout Brent, which can be found in Wembley, Stonebridge, Church End, Dudden Hill, Kilburn, and Neasden.
Cllr Butt added: “Brent Council will not rest in our determination to see the scourge of knife crime relegated to the history books. We will continue working with the Metropolitan Police, our schools, youth services, community organisations, and families to prevent violence, support those at risk and keep our communities safe.
“If you are going out into the world carrying a knife, surrender it safely in one of Brent’s knife amnesty bins and take the path that leads away from violence. Reach out, there are so many people across our borough who will listen, support you and help without a moment’s hesitation.”
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