Detectives have initiated a murder investigation after a tragic stabbing incident unfolded in Petts Wood, and they are urgently seeking witnesses to come forward with any information that might aid in their inquiries.
The incident was reported to the police by the London Ambulance Service at approximately 14:30 on Wednesday, September 20. The call informed authorities of a man who had been stabbed in Jubilee Park, situated near Tent Peg Lane in Petts Wood.
Responding swiftly to the distress call, officers and the Air Ambulance arrived at the scene. Despite their diligent efforts, the victim, believed to be a 19-year-old male, tragically succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. While his next of kin have been informed, formal identification is pending, and a post-mortem examination is scheduled for a later time.
At present, a crime scene remains cordoned off, with detectives from the Specialist Crime Command spearheading the ongoing investigation.
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Webb urged the public for assistance, saying, “I am urging anyone who witnessed this attack, or who saw someone running away from the park, to please come forward and contact my team. Although the stabbing took place away from local roads, I’m certain that there are people who would have noticed something that seemed out of place or unusual, or someone behaving in a suspicious way. Please call us no matter how insignificant you think your information is. Anything could help us to identify the person responsible.”
As of now, no arrests have been made, and inquiries are actively ongoing.
Superintendent Lewis Collins, representing the South Area Command Unit, expressed condolences and concern, stating, “Our thoughts are with this young man’s family and friends. This is a tragic incident, which occurred in a quiet area, and I know it will also impact the local community. There will be a visible policing presence in the coming days, and I would encourage anyone with information or concerns to please speak with an officer.”
Authorities have urged anyone with information related to this incident to promptly contact the police at 101, quoting reference CAD 3972/20Sep. Those who wish to remain anonymous can provide information via Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
