4 July 2008

LONDON - London is experiencing an epidemic of knife crime with 13 teenagers stabbed to death this year and two French students murdered in a brutal attack, leaving police apparently powerless to stop it.

Shakilus Townsend, 16, became the latest statistic Friday when he died in hospital of injuries from an attack carried out by a gang of teenagers, including a girl.

"This is another senseless incident in which a young life has been taken away by a knife," said Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons.

As police investigated that case, hardened murder squad detectives were still shocked by the deaths of Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez, the French science students who were bound, stabbed more than 250 times and set on fire in a flat in the tough New Cross area of southeast London.

"I have never seen injuries like this throughout my career," said Detective Chief Inspector Mick Duthie.

While the circumstances differ, the weapon is the same - that most low-tech of devices, the knife, often taken from a kitchen drawer.

The despair of victims' families was summed up by Brooke Kinsella, a former star of the popular TV soap "EastEnders", whose 16-year-old brother Ben was knifed to death after an argument outside a bar in north London on 29 June.

"Please, please let us learn from Ben and every other child that has been stolen from us," she urged at an emotionally-charged news conference.

"We always knew Ben would make a special mark in the world, and although this is in the worst possible circumstances, hopefully he will be the one that finally puts an end to this."

Her wish was crushed within days, as Townsend was attacked Thursday.

He was the 18th teenager killed in violent attacks in London this year, one more than at this time in 2007 - but it is the increase in knife attacks which is causing concern.

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