'High level' meeting held by Met and council in wake of fatal Plumstead stabbing

Police are searching for a group of youths reportedly seen running from the scene.

Met Police and London Ambulance Service were called to a block of flats in Barnfield Road at 6.25pm, and found the young man suffering from serious stab wounds.

He was taken to an east London hospital in a critical condition - where he later died.

Scotland Yard has now launched a murder investigation led by Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Reeves.

A Met Police spokesman said: "Detectives are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the stabbing who may have seen up to eight black male youths running from the scene. 

"They are also keen to hear from anyone who witnessed an argument that took place nearby between a group of men earlier in the day."

A cordon was in place this morning outside Turton House whilst police officers and forensic experts inspected the scene.

Forensic officers and police were outside Turton House where a man was fatally stabbed yesterday.

Greenwich Council executives and Metropolitan Police officers have held a 'high level' meeting in the wake of the murder.

Deputy leader councillor John Fahy and Matthew Pennycook, MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, have both visited the scene to pay their respects.

The MP also spoke to Greenwich borough commander Helen Millichap.

Speaking from outside Turton House councillor Ambreen Hishani for Woolwich common said: "The meeting will be about the incident, what happened, and trying to find out the facts, and to find out what action to take.
"We've been in touch with the family, he was a local boy."

Coun. Ambreen Hishani

She added: "This area has been improving immensely in the last 10 years this incident is shocking and we will do anything possible to give back the safety the community deserves."

John Trimmings, 20, who lives in John Wilson Street, said his aunt saw the victim bleeding outside Turton House.

He said: "My aunt lives across the way from there and she said she saw a person outside the front door of the flats with blood leaking down.

"She heard some commotion and looked out the window and saw a guy lying on the floor with blood everywhere.

"When the police got there they held blankets around him.

"It looked like someone had dragged him out, but we're not sure if it was the paramedics."

Police and paramedics trying to save the young man's life.

Friends of Barnfield is a charity for the community and is chaired by Susan Musundi, who lives along Barnfield Road, where the charity is based. 

She said: “It was a shock for the community because this kind of thing we thought we had done away with. I heard about it last night and it's frightening, any death is frightening. When it happened last night we had a lot of support from the council.

“We’re sorry this thing happened because we have been very good as far as crime is concerned, it had really gone away but we hope this is a one off and that it’s not going to happen again. It’s not a crime area, it’s really improved over the years. When one thing happens it affects us all." 

Ms Musundi, who’s lived there for the past 26 years, added: “When something like this happens we’re very much concerned. This place is open for anyone who needs any kind of help or reassurance.”

Susan Musundi, chair of Friends of Barnfield

Ruth Gabriel, from the Greenwich Inclusion Project, holds a drop in every Tuesday for residents about issues such as childcare and equality.

She said: “I can’t get access today so I can’t do much.

“It’s sad, a young life cut down like that. I’ve been here a long time and there’s been a lot of good developments. Years ago it had a bad reputation, it’s sad and it’s frightening but there’s a lot of good coming out the estate.”

A Met Police spokesman said a post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course and formal identification awaits.

He added: "Next of kin have been informed."

No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.

An air ambulance was also seen taking off and landing on the Common.

The ambulance landing on Plumstead Common. (c.) @neopeo

A spokesman for Greenwich Council said: “The Council is deeply shocked and saddened by this incident on the Barnfield Estate and would like to express its condolences to the friends and family of the young man who was killed.

“We would encourage anyone who could help the police with their investigations to come forward so that those responsible for this tragic loss of life can be brought to justice.”

Did you see what happened? Or if you knew the man who died and would like to leave a tribute, call the news room on 01689 885702 or email Rebecca.Flood@london.newsquest.co.uk

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