David Lammy MP calls for ‘political consensus’ to tackle rising violent crime

David Lammy MP

By Ellie Rae Ward

MP for Tottenham David Lammy has called for all political parties and the Mayor of London to work together to address rising levels of violent crime, following the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old near Northumberland Park this week.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Lammy said: “What we’re seeing today is the worst I’ve ever seen it. I’ve had four deaths in the London Borough of Haringey [since January]. I’ve had as many knife attacks as there have been weeks in the year. There are parents, families, friends, schools, traumatised and grieving and there is absolutely no sign at the moment of reduction in the violence.”

Lammy continued: “I have not had a phone call from the Home Secretary, I’ve not had a call from the Mayor. Nobody has come to visit my constituency. Frankly, I’m sick of the political football. What I want is political consensus.”

His comments have been made two days after Tanesha Melbourne, 17, was shot and killed in a ‘drive-by’ attack near Northumberland Park, Tottenham.

Det Ch Supt Richard Wood told the BBC: “At this stage we’re keeping a completely open mind, it’s too early to say what the motive is or indeed if it’s just a case of wrong place, wrong time.

“We do know that a vehicle drove past a group of young people, shots were fired from the vehicle and sadly the young lady lost her life.”

Melbourne has been described by a friend as a “very lovable little girl in the community”.

I’m sick of the political football

Tottenham is not alone in facing rising levels of violent and fatal attacks. The number of people killed in London so far this year is now 50, marking a significant rise in comparison to recent years.

Tottenham MP David Lammy said that “there is no single cause” of the rising levels of violence, but highlighted that a growing drug market across the capital was a contributory factor.

He said: “What drives the gangs in the turf wars? [The] £11billion cocaine drugs market. We are the drugs market of Europe… Drugs are prolific… they’re as prolific as ordering a pizza. You can get them on Snapchat, Whatsapp.”

This morning the BBC has reported that, ‘following the recent surge in violence, police patrols have been stepped up and officers are using stop-and-search powers to seize weapons.’

If you would like to contribute to an article on the shooting of Tanesha Melbourne or more generally on rising levels of violent crime in the next printed issue of TCP, please email [email protected].