Fatal stabbing at Brent Civic Centre in Wembley triggers murder inquiry

A teenage boy or young man was stabbed to death at Brent Civic Centre in Wembley on Tuesday afternoon. A murder investigation is underway and no arrests have been made.

Murder inquiry launched after fatal stabbing at Wembley council headquarters

A person has been killed following a stabbing at a council headquarters in west London, the Daily Express reports, with police launching a murder investigation after being called to Brent Civic Centre on Engineers Way, Wembley, shortly before 2.30pm on Tuesday 25 August.

Metropolitan Police officers and London Ambulance Service crews found the victim "suffering from stab wounds" upon arrival, the Met said. Despite efforts by paramedics, the person — described by the Met as a "teenage boy or man in his early 20s" — was pronounced dead at the scene.

The London Ambulance Service confirmed it had dispatched an ambulance crew, paramedics in fast response cars, an incident response officer and London's Air Ambulance. "Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a patient was pronounced dead at the scene," a spokesperson said.

No arrests have been made, and officers are conducting urgent enquiries to identify and trace those responsible.

Section 60 powers authorised across Brent wards

In the wake of the incident, a Section 60 order has been authorised, granting officers enhanced stop-and-search powers without the standard requirement of reasonable suspicion. The order covers the Wembley Park, Barnhill, Tokyngton, Stonebridge, Roundwood, Dollis Hill, Willesden and Welsh Harp ward areas of Brent.

Superintendent Chris Clarke, lead for emergency response policing in the area, described the attack as "an awful incident, in which someone has tragically lost their life." He said officers were working urgently to identify the victim and inform next-of-kin.

"An investigation is underway to establish exactly what has taken place and trace those responsible," Clarke said. "We recognise the concern this incident will cause within the local community and are committed to keeping residents informed as our enquiries progress."

Clarke added that the increased stop-and-search powers had been granted "to help prevent further violence, support our investigation, and keep people safe," and that a heightened police presence would remain in the surrounding area while the investigation continues.

Police said the incident is not believed to be terror-related, and that there is no wider threat to the community.

Civic Centre evacuated and closed

Brent Civic Centre, which houses the borough council's headquarters as well as a library, was evacuated following the incident and will remain closed until further notice.

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said the borough had been "shaken by an appalling and deeply tragic incident." He offered his thoughts to the victim's family and to staff, residents and visitors who witnessed the attack.

"The Civic Centre has been evacuated and will remain closed until further notice," Butt said. "I would urge people to avoid the area and allow the police and emergency services to carry out their work."

Butt also called on people not to "speculate or repeat any unverified claims online," stating the council was working closely with the Metropolitan Police and would provide further updates as soon as possible.

He thanked emergency services for their swift response and praised council staff for the "professionalism, compassion and calm they have shown today in the most difficult of circumstances."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 4032/25AUG.

Source: Daily Express