Racist motivation for stabbing in Poplar

FOLLET STREET, E14, and the underpass leading to the A12, were the scenes of an argument which led to a stabbing in the early hours of Tuesday, 19th June. A man suffered serious, but not threatening, knife wounds and police are appealing for help from the public.

The emergency services became aware of the stabbing when they received a call at approximately 2.40am, saying that a man in his 30s had been stabbed. They attended and the London Ambulance Service took the victim to an East London hospital, where he received medical treatment and was later admitted.

The police are investigating the circumstances. They believe that the victim and a group of people met up in or around Follett Street. An argument broke out, but later calmed down – and all of them moved on to the underpass. They remained there, chatting and drinking – but then the victim was stabbed, several times. The group ran off.

The victim managed to make his way to the street, where he was able to flag down a passing taxi, the driver of which called the emergency services. The police have stated that they are treating the incident as racially motivated.

PC Simon Maude of Tower Hamlets CID,who is leading the investigation, said, “This was a vicious attack which left a man fighting for his life. Our initial enquiries have made good progress and we continue to work to identify those who were involved in the attack. I would urge anyone who was in the area of Follett Street or St Leonard’s Road in the early hours of Tuesday, 19th June and saw a group of six males leaving the area on foot at around 2:40am to contact me. You may hold vital evidence that could assist this investigation.”

•Anyone who can help the police is asked to call Tower Hamlets CID via 101.  Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111, where you can give information anonymously.

•Read more about it:
Two arrests as guns found in Dagenham
Arsonist on the loose in Hackney