Somali youths attacked with knives in Finsbury Park

By Elizabeth Pears

A GROUP of Somali friends were attacked with knives as they played football in Finsbury Park on Friday following a petty row over a ball.

Up to four of the young men, in their late teens and early 20s, were stabbed at 6.30pm in the park, near Manor House Tube station, after being set upon by a gang armed with dangerous weapons.

Injuries included stab wounds to the thigh, shoulder, arm and abdomen, police said.

The group had been enjoying the warm weather and were dressed in casual clothes as they had a kick-around on an area of grass adjacent to Seven Sisters Road.

But the afternoon took a violent turn when the Somali friends clashed with a group of predominantly West Indian males who had not been playing football, and started a fistfight.

Then a third group, made up of about 15 young, black men, in their mid to late teens, appeared from further inside the park on foot and some on bicycles and rushed in and joined the fight.

Four of this group were armed with knives, and were spotted by eye witnesses heading towards the cafe near the Finsbury Park boating lake.

Haringey CID investigate is now investigating the stabbings, and the victims have been discharged from hospital.

Detective Sergeant Simon Jones, of Haringey CID said: "It appears that a seemingly trivial incident has escalated to the point at which four men have been stabbed.

"We would like to speak to any of those that were involved in the initial altercation, as they may have information that could assist our enquiries. The incident is bound to have drawn the attention of other people in the area and we are keen to hear from anyone that may have seen any part of what happened."

A 14-year-old, a 17-year-old and two other men, both aged 20, have been arrested, and bailed to return in July.

Enquiries are ongoing, and extra police officers have been placed in the park to ensure the safety of other users. Haringey Safer Neighbourhoods Chief Inspector Jon Williams said: "We treat all violent incidents extremely seriously and will be committing resources to provide a police presence and reassurance in the park this Friday, as we did last Friday following the incident."

Anyone with information is asked to contact DS Jones of Haringey CID on 020 8345 0737.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: www.haringeyindependent.co.uk