Police are calling for witnesses to the fatal stabbing, which occurred late on Sunday (7th March), at the top of High Street market after two people were seen running away from the scene of a murder towards Walthamstow bus station.

Police believe the two people were a white woman and a black man.

The dead man is described as in his late twenties to early thirties, black, wearing blue jeans, a white t-shirt and a black puffer jacket.

In response to local concerns Lib Dem High Street Councillor, James O’Rourke, said:

“It saddens me that within 18 months of the tragic death of ‘CJ’ Hendricks we have  a second family mourning the loss of a loved one following the mindless knifing of this man over last weekend. 

“I cannot express more the need for witnesses to come forward to the police so as the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice swiftly. 

“My thoughts are with this poor man’s family.”

Following the death of ‘CJ’ Hendricks Councillor O’Rourke called for a review of the CCTV coverage in Walthamstow Town Centre. He has said he will renew his call.

An incident room has opened under DCI Phil Rickells, from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or believes they may have information to identify the victim should call 8345 1570.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A massive Police enquiry is under-way following the discovery of a man with suspected stab wounds in Walthamstow Town square last night.

Paramedics attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene at about 2225 GMT.

Police said they they know his identity, but are not releasing it yet.

High Street Focus Team will post updates when received.

Residents are being warned not to fall victim to a council tax scam where bogus callers ask for bank details so the ‘overpaid’ council tax can be repaid into their account, or so that money can be taken directly to avoid a fine for ‘non-payment’.

Cllr James O’Rourke said: “The Council would never contact a resident in this manner. Don’t throw your money down the drain. If you receive a call like this report it by calling 020 8496 3000. 

“We all need to keep a close eye on vulnerable older family members or neighbours.” he added.

An alleyway leading from St James Street to Stephenson Road has been closed by police  following an incident in the early hours of this morning.

High Street Focus Team have been informed that two people were arrested in relation to the incident.

Teams of officers were seen scouring the alleyway and forensic officers coming and going from an address in Leucha Road.

High Street Lib Dem Councillors, James O’Rourke and Johar Khan said:

“The police are throughly investigating this matter and we are grateful they have kept us in the loop. As soon as we hear more we will update our website.”

High Street Focus Team have been advised that there are now two numbers to contact the Metropolitan Police:

In an emergency always call 999. An emergency is when a crime is happening, someone suspected of a crime is nearby, someone is injured, being threatened or in danger.

For example:

• If your house is being burgled (or the suspect is nearby) call 999
• If your car is being stolen (or the suspect is nearby) call 999

Call 0300 123 1212 when you need to report crime that is not an emergency.

For example:

• If your house has been burgled call 0300 123 1212
• If your car has been stolen call 0300 123 1212

On Saturday Liberal Democrat Councillors joined residents and business owners of Walthamstow Village on a protest march calling for extra Police and targetted CCTV cameras following a spate of violent crimes, including the brutal murder of Melita Jo, whose body was found in St Mary’s churchyard and the recent armed robbery in a betting shop.

Speaking with march organiser and Nags Head landlord, Roger Carter, Leader of Waltham Forest Lib Dems, Cllr John Macklin said : “We are all affected by the environment and neighbourhoods which we live in and our streets are the one public service we all rely on, everyday. It is imperative we target Council and Police resources to the areas of greatest need to ensure our streets are safe.”

Cllr Macklin was presented with a petition of 1000 signatures calling for the streets of Walthamstow Village to be made safer.

Locally Lib Dem Councillors have championed recommendations for the systematic replacement of ageing CCTV cameras in Waltham Forest and for more Police on the beat.

Scrutiny Chair and High Street ward Councillor, James O’Rourke said: “We need to do more than simply replacing our cameras, many of which are over 10 years old. We need to use up-to-date and flexible technology, such as WiFi, to ensure cameras can be placed quickly at crime and anti social behaviour hotspots.”

The Labour Government has proposed introducing directly-elected crime and policing representatives which will fail to give people greater influence over policing, will confuse the public about who is tackling crime, and undermine local partnerships vital to tackling crime.

Newly elected Lib Dem Councillor for Hale End & Highams Park, Nick Bason, commented: “Rather than spend £15 to £48 million on holding the elections, this money could instead provide between 300 and 1,000 extra Police Officers.”

If you agree we need more police please register your support for the Local Government Association Safe and Secure campaign by signing the e-petition on the 10 Downing Street website by clicking here.

The Council has agreed to introduce an Alcohol Restriction Zone (ARZ) as from the 10th November 2008. The ARZ is in response to public concern about anti-social  behaviour associated with street drinking in Walthamstow Town Centre and in particular in and around the Town Square.

The ARZ will provide a more consistent and longer-term solution to improve the quality for those who use the area, by giving the police powers to deal with anti-social drinking.

Welcoming the introduction of the ARZ Cllrs James O’Rourke and Johar Khan said: “The ARZ will benefit our local community, businesses and visitors to Walthamstow by providing Police powers that they currently do not have, to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder and allow us to reclaim Walthamstow Town Centre. Children and families will be more inclined to use local facilities, such as the Town Centre Park and open space and it will undoubtedly improve the image of one of the gateways to Waltham Forest.”

Click on map to see larger version.

Recently the Children and Young Peoples and Community Safety and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees, chaired by Cllr James O’Rourke, joined forces to take evidence on how Knife Crime was being tackled in Waltham Forest.

Sixty people attended representing a myriad of internal and external key partners involved in tackling knife crime in Waltham Forest. A number of interested residents also attended.

Evidence was taken from a wide range of witnesses including the Police, Crown Prosecution Service, Job Centre Plus, schools & colleges and trading standards. Vital evidence was supplied by three representatives of the Youth Independent Advisory Group who gave Councillors of the committees and other attendees an enthralling account from young people’s perspective.

Disappointingly, the only media coverage, by WF Guardian, concentrated on the Police when curiously, their reporter, in her blog, gave a marginally better account of the meeting than was officially reported in their website and paper.

Cllr O’Rourke said: “The point that needs to be made is we managed to get sixty people from partners relating to knife crime to start the debate on how to eradicate this serious problem. I agree with the reporter that a three hour meeting cannot address the ills of the world. However, it was a start and I will not allow the issue of knife/youth crime to disappear into the ether to await another tragedy. Watch this space.”

Your local FOCUS team want tough action to be taken against those caught selling knives to children and young people. Figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats revealed that half of all traders tested in Waltham Forest had attempted to sell knives to underage buyers.

The worrying statistics come on the back of nationwide figures for prosecutions which reveal that, in the last five years, not one person has been sent to prison for the illegal sale of knives to children.

Cllr O’Rourke commented: “The stats reveal a completely inadequate deterrent to unscrupulous shop keepers who flout the law selling these weapons to children and young people. The number of local traders who are apparently prepared to sell knifes to young people is extremely worrying. Liberal Democrats will be calling for officers to carry out further test purchasing programmes in an effort to really drive this message home. We believe that further tests must be carried out and that the courts must take a much stronger stand on this issue. Cutting the supply of knives will be one of the most effective ways to reducing knife crime in the first place.”

The Children & Young People and Community Safety & Housing Scrutiny Committees, chaired by Lib Dem Cllrs James O’Rourke and Sean Meiszner, will be holding an extraordinary meeting in October and calling all relevant agencies to provide evidence as to how they are dealing with this serious issue.

After lobbying the Council’s Environment Directorate your High Street Focus Team are pleased to announce the setting up of a ‘Task group’ to tackle the myriad of issues faced by Walthamstow Town Centre.

Liberal Democrat Councillors, along with residents, have consistently raised issues such as litter, rats, waste collection, market management, crime and regeneration.

Cllr O’Rourke said: “Only the High Street Liberal Democrats have asked for a ‘task group’ to look at the issues of Anti Social Behaviour to Waste Management. I believe we need to have a co-ordinated approach to the management of Walthamstow Town Centre from Hoe Street down to St James Street; a similar approach to that adopted in Westminster”

It has been agreed that the task group will look at improving the public realm maintenance and community safety issues in this area by not only looking at the public parts of the market but also the side streets and behind businesses and residencies.

To ensure our aim of a Cleaner, Greener and Safer Town Centre is achieved Cllr O’Rourke has called on the following stakeholders to be involved:

Tenants and Residents Associations, High Street Safer Neighbour Team, Councils Environment Enforcement Team, Street Wardens, Market Traders & Council Market Officers, Shops & businesses, Landlords - public, private & Social Landlords, Transport for London (Tfl), and the Council’s waste management and street cleaning contractors.