London teen murders: Number of young people killed in the capital rose in 2023

More teenage killings were recorded in London last year compared with 2022, with a total of 22 young people losing their lives in the capital.

This is a marked increase compared to the 14 teenagers who were killed in the capital the preceding year - though still below the 2021 high of 30.

Included in LondonWorld's figures are 18 teenagers who were victims to stabbings in 2023. Two boys were fatally shot, and one teenager’s life ended in a road incident involving a moped and a car. A teenage girl lost her life as a result of suspected arson in a flat fire - leading to an arrest on suspicion of murder.

A 16-year-old boy stabbed to death on New Year’s Eve was the final teenager of 2023 to lose their life in violent circumstances in London.

Detectives have named the boy who died in Camden as Harry Pitman. The 16-year-old was stabbed on Primrose Hill at around 11.40pm on Sunday December 31 2023.

Commander Owain Richards, the Met's lead for tackling violent crime, said: “Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those who have tragically lost their lives this year.

“We are working hard to prevent violent crime - the Met works closely with partners including London’s Violence Reduction Unit, Local Authorities, schools and community youth groups to help tackle violence that affects young people.

 “We continue to dedicate a large amount of resources to tackle serious violence, including increasing visible police patrols in communities impacted by violence, including precision stop and search, and weapon sweeps in hotspots to help reduce crime and help Londoners feel safe.”

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports a rise in knife crime incidents in the capital  from 12,786 in 2022/23, compared with 11,122 in the previous year. While this number is high, it remains below the pre-pandemic levels, where the number of offences reported in 2019/20, was 15,928.

City Hall says it has invested in several local partnership programmes and is supporting dedicated neighbourhood police officers to help tackle youth violence in the capital.

Over the last two years, London’s Violence Reduction Unit has invested in more than 150,000 positive opportunities for young people.

City Hall said since the VRU was set up in 2019, there has been a 22% reduction in homicides, 20% fall in knife crime with injury for those aged under-25, and a 16% reduction in robbery.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m devastated for the families and friends of those who have lost their lives to violence. As both an MP and mayor, I've met with many bereaved families and communities and have seen first hand the profound and long-lasting impact of violent crime. Every death is a tragedy and it strengthens my determination to continue leading from the front to build a safer London for everyone. 

“Due to massive government cuts to policing and youth services, there has been a nationwide increase in violent crime over the last ten years, but thanks to record investment in the police from City Hall and the hard work of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), the first in the country, the number of homicides in London last year fell to its lowest since 2014. Homicides, gun crime and the number of young people being injured with knives have all fallen in London since 2016.”

He added: “But it’s clear that violent crime remains far too high and there’s much more to do. One life lost to violent crime will always be one too many and I’m determined to continue making progress by being both tough on crime and tough on the complex causes of crime.

“I will also continue to put pressure on the government to play it’s part in reducing violent crime, which is clearly a national problem that requires action and investment on a national scale on the police and criminal justice system as well as helping to address the underlying causes – like poverty, inequality, social alienation and a lack of opportunities.”

London’s 2023 teenage homicide victims

• April 6: Tiffany Regis, 15, died after a blaze ripped through the block of flats she lived in in Beckton, Newham. The fire is being treated as arson and an investigation was launched. A 16-year-old male was arrested on April 6 on suspicion of murder. He was released on bail, pending further enquiries.
• April 10: Chima Osuji, 17, was stabbed to death near a primary school in Chingford, north-east London. Two 16-year-old boys were charged with murder.
• April 14: Tyler McDermott, 17, was found shot in Norman Road, Tottenham, Haringey, at around 4.20am on April 13. He was taken to hospital but died of his injuries on the afternoon of April 14.
• May 5: Renell Charles, 16, a pupil at Kelmscott School in Walthamstow, was stabbed in Markhouse Road. The attack happened as he was leaving school. A 16-year-old boy was charged with his murder.
• May 5: Wazabakana Elanda Jordan Kukabu, 18, known as “Jordan” was stabbed to death in Dagenham on May 5. 
• June 19: Khaled Saleh, 17, was found stabbed in Paddington Green June 19. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services.
• June 25: Victor Lee, 17, was found stabbed in the canal by Scrubs Lane, Ladbroke Grove.
• June 29: Leonardo Reid, 15, was one of three people stabbed in Archway, Islington, at around 11.33pm on June 29. The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene just after midnight.
• July 3: Andre Salmon, 18, was shot while riding a moped in Stamford Road, Tottenham, Haringey, on July 3.
• July 9: Rahaan Ahmed Amin, 16, was stabbed in West Ham Park, Newham on July 9.
• July 14: Claudyo Jauad Lafayette, 17, was stabbed during a fight in Granville Road, Kilburn/North Maida Vale, Brent, at around 11.22pm on July 14.
• July 28: Stefan Valentine Balaban, 17, was stabbed in Whitchurch Lane, Edgware, Harrow, at around 1.05am on July 28. He died at the scene.
• August 7: Yusuf Mohamoud, 18, was stabbed in Regents Park Road, Finchley, Barnet, near the junction with Lichfield Road, at around 9.40pm on August 7. He collapsed after running to a supermarket over the road and was pronounced dead at the scene.
• September 4: Anis Omar Zen, 19, was stabbed in Masefield Avenue, Stanmore, Harrow, at around 4.50pm on September 4. He died at the scene a short time later.
• September 20: Max Moy Wheatley, 19, was stabbed in Jubilee Park near Tent Peg Lane, Petts Wood, Bromley, at around 2.30pm on September 20.
• September 27: Elianne Andam, 15, was stabbed as she made her way to school in Croydon at around 8.30am on 27 September. She was pronounced dead at the scene near a bus stop on Wellesley Road at 9.21am.
• October 1: Taye Faik, 16 was stabbed to death in Kendal Gardens, Edmonton on October 1.
• October 9: Tafari Thompson-Mintah, 16 was riding his moped along Sevenoaks Way in St Paul’s Cray, Orpington, when he was involved in a collision at about 3.30pm on Monday October 9. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene.
• October 29: Mehak Sharma, 19, was found stabbed at a home in Ash Tree Way, Croydon, at around 4.10pm on October 29. The cause of death was a stab wound to the neck.
• November 15: Simarjeet Singh Nangpal, 17 was stabbed to death during a fight in Burket Close, Southall, Hounslow, at around 12.15am on November 15.
• December 5: Ilyas Habibi, 17, was stabbed near Sutton Railway Station in Sutton High Street, Sutton, at around 7.08pm on December 5. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 7.53pm.
• December 31: Harry Pitman, 16, was stabbed on Primrose Hill, Camden, at around 11.40pm on December 31. He was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before midnight.