We teach them to hate; we end up with murder

As the year draws to a close, yet another one of our young citizens has had his life ended before his time by hatred turning into mindless violence – and we are left asking how it is that we have such hatred and division on our streets.

The story this time is still vague. It seems that there was a fight between two groups of teenagers – or possibly between a group of teenagers out on the street and others in a car – in Bethnal Green Road, near the junction with Brick Lane. Afterwards, as one of the groups was walking along Bethnal Green Road, the other group seems to have attacked again, and a 15 year old teenager was stabbed in the abdomen. It wasn’t that late – just 11pm or so. He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition and died just a few hours later.  An 18 year old was arrested at the scene and is still in police custody, but as yet there is no news of anyone being charged.

The name of the murdered teenager has not been formally released, but police have stated that his next of kin have been informed.

Police have appealed for witnesses, either to the fight or the later stabbing, to come forward. Detective Chief Inspector Chris Jones, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “Anyone who may have witnessed this altercation or have information which may assist the investigation is asked to contact the police as soon as possible.” Witnesses or anyone with any other information should call the incident room on 020-8345 3734 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.

We have said often before that those who seek to knock, to attack, to insult, to denigrate Lutfur Rahman do not appear to consider the knock on effects of their actions. Now, we say again that the hatred and venom behind so many of these attacks sets a terrible example. We should all be working together to improve the lives and prospects of our young people – not teaching them that self-serving scrabbles over who can grab power are how we conduct ourselves. There’s blood on the streets: some people need to look and see if they have blood on their hands.