Manhunt Launched After Teenager Attacked with Machete in East London Park
A 17-year-old boy was assaulted by a gang in Pennyfields Park, sparking urgent police investigations amid rising knife crime concerns.
An urgent manhunt is currently underway following a violent attack on a 17-year-old boy by a group of individuals armed with a machete in Pennyfields Park, located in Poplar, Tower Hamlets, East London.
The incident occurred on the evening of Wednesday, March 26, at approximately 5:45 PM. Metropolitan Police officers responded to multiple reports of a stabbing at the park, and video footage of the attack has circulated widely on social media platforms.
The footage depicts a group of hooded individuals assaulting the boy, who was thrown to the ground before being kicked and punched.
One attacker can be seen wielding a machete and appears to strike at the teenager, prompting him to raise his hand in a defensive gesture.
The assault concluded with the group departing the scene, leaving the injured teenager on the ground.
Bystanders approached to provide assistance until emergency services arrived.
Following this incident, British Transport Police also attended the scene, resulting in the arrest of a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of possessing a knife.
Although the victim was transported to a nearby hospital, reports state that his injuries were non-life changing or threatening.
The attack comes amid growing public and governmental concern regarding rising knife crime in England and Wales.
Recent statistics indicate that there were 55,008 recorded knife-related offences in the year leading up to September 2024, marking a 4% increase from the previous year’s count of 52,969 offences.
This figure is notably comparable to the 55,170 offences recorded in the year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a separate but related incident, a large group of 50 to 70 youths reportedly launched an attack involving knives at a school birthday party in east London, further highlighting the escalating trend of youth violence connected to knife crime in the region.
In light of the violence in Pennyfields Park, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated, "At this early stage, there have been no arrests.
Officers are currently conducting urgent inquiries; if you have any information that may assist, please come forward by calling 101, stating CAD6073/26March."
The incident occurred on the evening of Wednesday, March 26, at approximately 5:45 PM. Metropolitan Police officers responded to multiple reports of a stabbing at the park, and video footage of the attack has circulated widely on social media platforms.
The footage depicts a group of hooded individuals assaulting the boy, who was thrown to the ground before being kicked and punched.
One attacker can be seen wielding a machete and appears to strike at the teenager, prompting him to raise his hand in a defensive gesture.
The assault concluded with the group departing the scene, leaving the injured teenager on the ground.
Bystanders approached to provide assistance until emergency services arrived.
Following this incident, British Transport Police also attended the scene, resulting in the arrest of a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of possessing a knife.
Although the victim was transported to a nearby hospital, reports state that his injuries were non-life changing or threatening.
The attack comes amid growing public and governmental concern regarding rising knife crime in England and Wales.
Recent statistics indicate that there were 55,008 recorded knife-related offences in the year leading up to September 2024, marking a 4% increase from the previous year’s count of 52,969 offences.
This figure is notably comparable to the 55,170 offences recorded in the year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a separate but related incident, a large group of 50 to 70 youths reportedly launched an attack involving knives at a school birthday party in east London, further highlighting the escalating trend of youth violence connected to knife crime in the region.
In light of the violence in Pennyfields Park, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated, "At this early stage, there have been no arrests.
Officers are currently conducting urgent inquiries; if you have any information that may assist, please come forward by calling 101, stating CAD6073/26March."
