By Eric King-
British Transport police have stepped up security around Stratford station, after a machete, samurai and Rambo-style knife were seized by officers.
Today, armed officers were visible in and around Stratford station, with even more armed officers patrolling Stratford’s Westfield shopping centre, where many criminals frequent in search of vulnerable targets.
Criminals seem to forget the widespread presence of CCTV cameras in the area, or think they are too fast for the cameras to see.
Cops say they were acting on reports of violence and anti-social behaviour during a recent operation. Perpetrators of anti-social behaviour are in many cases ignorantly oblivious to the reality that members of the public are quick to call police if they witness gang or threatening behaviour around them.
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East London has long been ridden with gang related violence, leading to several killings from gun and knife crime. A gun amnesty was recently launched by Ilford Police in an attempt to reduce the spate of crime. Despite the real danger posed by gun crime in East London, knife crime remains the more common form of violence in East London.
However, the perpetrators of this offence were both from North London. Post code wars in London means tear away youths sometimes have rivalry with youngsters from a rival area, sometimes leading them to enter the area for revenge attacks or to humiliate those in the area.
A 19 year old teenager in the area anonymously told The Eye Of Media.Com ” Many youths will go into another area to rob random people in the area. Especially around Christmas, many of these ”hood rats” see it as a ripe time to rob people. A lot of people with money now leave in the area, but hood rats also gain a strong feeling of notoriety when they rob other ”bad boys” in an area where they have declared war”.
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Tottenham is known for its share of violent gang members, a large number of whom take pride for associating themselves with the area. Another 22 year old from Forest Gate, East London was passing through Stratford today, Friday. He anonymously told The Eye Of Media.com:
” I heard that in the last day or so a number of boys had been randomly asking young teenagers what area they are from. When a group of boys ask you that question, you never know what you should say. You could say any area, and they might react by saying, ”what, we have beef with mans(people) from there. You need to move before we move you. Ordinary questions like that can lead to confrontation, and eventually a stabbing. This is the reality of the streets in London for teenagers today”.
CHARGED
Police revealed that 19 year old Sheareem Cookhorn, of Park Lane, Tottenham was charged with possession of an offensive weapon.Two other boys aged 15 and 16 from Tottenham were also charged for the same offence. They cannot be named for legal reasons. All three will appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on December 11.
Chief inspector Loveless said in a press statement :On this occasion I have no doubt the seizure of these weapons prevented a serious assault or worse taking place.” The incident has led to more visible officers on foot in and around Stratford and Stratford International station.
He added: “No one should feel scared or intimidated when travelling through or working at any of the Stratford stations and anyone believing they can display anti-social behaviour or embark in other criminality without consequence should think again.”
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