Sadiq Khan – 2022 Statement on Murder of Teenagers in London

The statement made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 1 January 2022.

I am truly devastated by the deaths of a 15-year-old boy in Croydon and a 16-year-old boy in Hillingdon. Senseless violence has once again resulted in the loss of two young men with their lives in front of them and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families, friends and communities at this awful time.

I continue to remain in close contact with the Met Police who are doing everything possible to bring those responsible for these killings to justice. Anyone with information should contact the police or Crimestoppers anonymously. There is absolutely no honour in staying silent.

The safety of Londoners will always be my number one priority. That is why I’m determined to continue leading from the front by being tough on crime – investing record amounts in policing to put more officers on the streets – and tough on its complex causes, with plans in place to deliver positive opportunities to almost 100,000 young Londoners over the course of the next year, helping to divert them away from violence by providing them with tailored support at key moments in their lives.

Since before the pandemic, the level of knife crime and youth violence in London has been decreasing meaning fewer violent attacks, fewer victims in hospital and fewer young offenders. Sadly, due to the increasing ferocity of the attacks, this hasn’t yet translated to fewer teenage homicides. I refuse to accept that the loss of young lives is inevitable and will continue to be relentless in taking the bold action needed to put an end to violence in our city.