2:41pm Friday 29th August 2008
By Mhairi Macfarlane
POLICE have revealed the cause of the chaos near the memorial for Charles Junion 'CJ' Hendricks in the last two days.
They say that since his death on Sunday, police have seen an increase in tension between groups of young people in the borough.
On Wednesday, a woman was robbed at about 5pm near Walthamstow Central Station. After speaking with the victim, officers tried to arrest five suspects when an angry crowd of up to 150 men gathered around the scene.
Several fights broke out, prompting police to send in dozens of officers to control the crowd.
Six men were arrested and taken to north London police stations. Five were arrested in connection with the robbery and four of have been bailed to return pending further enquiries. The fifth has been released.
A sixth man was arrested for public order offences and was due to appear at Waltham Forest Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Further tension arose yesterday when two Police Community Support Officer’s (PCSOs) were injured at Walthamstow Central Station following a fight.
At 12.25pm, four patrolling PCSOs had stopped at the station to speak to a man visiting the memorial for CJ Hendricks about his interaction with a young child, when a fight broke out and the man was arrested for Public Order offences. He has since been bailed pending further enquiries.
One PSCO received an injury to his hand and the other to his face.
Waltham Forest Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Mark Benbow, said: ”The murder of Charles Hendricks on August 24 is tragic both for his family and friends and the wider community and we cannot lose sight of that. Our colleagues from the Met's Homicide and Serious Crime Command continue to investigate his death and have made four arrests in connection with the incident.
“Since Charles' death we have noted an increase in tension between groups of young people in the borough and we are working tirelessly to prevent any disturbances and offer much-needed reassurance to the local residents.
”Despite recent issues it needs to be acknowledged that, in reality, only a small proportion of people in the borough are affected by crime and even fewer affected by serious youth violence. However, violence and disturbances amongst young people remains one of our top priorities and we have been carrying out a number of specific activities to tackle this type of offending.
“Measures include, additional visible patrols throughout the borough, establishing Tension Monitoring Groups who will continue to liaise with the local community and young people, joining forces with partner agencies and developing good relations with local schools and colleges, supporting our specially trained community and schools liaison officers and assisting with schemes and initiatives designed to offer the young people of Waltham Forest an alternative to youth violence.
”As a borough we are committed to working with the community and youth groups and, in a determined effort to prevent future issues, we will always listen to any concerns the local community may have.”
One week on from the murder, officers from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command [HSCC] will be returning to the scene on Sunday to appeal for further information and witnesses.
CJ was stabbed at about 1.40am last Sunday in Selborne Road.
Officers will be distributing leaflets at the scene and appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or has information to contact police.
DI John Sandlin [HSCC], said: "I am appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the murder who may have seen or heard something, or anyone who has information to please contact police in confidence.
"The incident happened close to a well lit bus terminal.
"Did you see several males in the grass area near to the bus garage and close to Selborne Walk shopping centre? Did you see anyone run away from the scene?"
Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 3715. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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