‘I would not want my child walking in this town': Croydon resident expresses fear following the stabbing of 15-year-old school girl

28 September 2023, 10:37

This Croydon-resident will 'not set foot' there even though they live there as they express fear

By Anna Fox

Caller Karen told Nick Ferrari of her fear of walking around Croydon following the stabbing of a young girl described as "jovial" and "comedic" on Wednesday morning.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Caller Karen expressed her sadness at the stabbing, telling Nick Ferrari: "I feel totally depressed to be a Croydon resident, to be quite honest with you.

"I'm absolutely saddened and sickened by yesterday."

The 15-year-old was attempting to intervene in an argument between her friend and her friend's ex-boyfriend on the bus while travelling to Old Palace Independent School.

Eyewitnesses claimed a machete-style blade was drawn in the fight.

Karen continued, telling Nick "In the morning I sit behind cars trying to put their children to school and I totally understand".

Following the incident, Karen asserted: "I would not want my child walking in this town at the moment".

A 17-year-old boy thought to have been known to the victim was arrested in New Addington in south London and is in custody.

Drawing on her work in a secondary school, Karen recounted a conversation with a young boy, who was in possession of a 12-inch knife on school property.

READ MORE: Pictured: Hero schoolgirl, 15, stabbed to death in Croydon 'when she stepped in to protect her friend'

Roads Minister Richard Holden on Croydon stabbing

Karen added: "It was it was humongous, and I said, 'you know, you're going to get arrested then' and he replied 'Yeah, that's fine'.

"He was 15".

Expressing her growing concern at the rising rates of knife crime across the capital, Karen told Nick: "I do not set foot in Croydon, and I live here".

As a mother, Nick questioned Karen on her parenting approach to avoid the issue, to which she replied: "I said never go upstairs on the bus on your own and stay with friends".

She added: "If they ever went somewhere, I don't care what time of night, I said you call me, we will pick you up".

Read More: Police and paramedics surround Croydon bus amid reports 'a schoolgirl' has been 'stabbed'

This is the 15th teenage homicide this year.

According to Met Police data, between August 2022 and 2023, Croydon had more stabbings than any other borough in London, with 211 "knife crime with injury" offences recorded.

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Exclusive
The Chancellor was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Chancellor ‘doesn’t know’ salary of new chairman tasked with ensuring government ‘value for money'

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust in the criminal justice system', says Jenrick

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust' in criminal justice system, says Jenrick

Exclusive
The government has introduced its football governance bill.

'We're on the same side': Minister denies feud with Premier League over Football Governance Bill

Exclusive
Protest sign reading Danger water pollution, this water is polluted with raw sewage. The responsible party is Thames Water. River Wey, Guildford, UK

Government warns demand for water could outstrip supply as they launch review into 'broken' sector

Nick Ferrari.

'He'll look over his shoulder for the rest of his life': Concern for Martyn Blake's privacy long overdue

Exclusive
'No one gutsy enough to address this': Mylene Klass calls on government to introduce paid miscarriage leave.

Government not 'gutsy' enough to implement paid miscarriage leave claims Myleene Klass

Exclusive
David Cameron speaks to LBC

David Cameron calls for UK to sanction two Israeli ministers as change on arms embargo 'didn't satisfy anybody'

'I wouldn't do it again': Jenrick suggests regret for painting over murals at children’s asylum centre.

'I wouldn't do it again': Robert Jenrick says he regrets ordering workers to paint over murals at children’s asylum centre

Exclusive
Where did all the fish go? Feargal Sharkey uncovers dangerous blue-green algae plaguing River Wye

Where did all the fish go? Feargal Sharkey uncovers dangerous blue-green algae plaguing River Wye

UK troops in Cyprus 'ready to act' says defence secretary noting forces already play 'important' role in preventing escalation

UK troops in Cyprus 'ready to act' with forces playing an 'important' role in preventing escalation

Exclusive
LBC has uncovered levels of E Coli in Britain’s rivers over fifty times higher than levels recommended by the Environment Agency, in the latest edition of Feargal on Friday.

Feargal Sharkey exposes dangerous levels of E. coli in British rivers

Exclusive
Suspending arm sales to Israel will have weakened UK's 'hand' in Washington, Ex-armed forces minister says.

Suspending arms sales to Israel weakened UK's 'hand' in Washington, ex-armed forces minister says

Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat refuses to commit to reversing Labour's cuts to the winter fuel payment

Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat refuses to commit to reversing Labour's cuts to the winter fuel payment

Exclusive
XL Bullies killed 16 people in 2023.

XL Bullies have created a 'new burden on policing' as forces have to look after dogs waiting for court hearings

Exclusive
LBC's Nick Ferrari and Feargal Sharkey are teaming up to take a look at Britain's waterways

Nick Ferrari and Feargal Sharkey join forces to investigate the state of Britain's polluted waterways

Exclusive
Israel Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely spoke with LBC's Nick Ferrari.

Two-state solution 'far away' because '80 per cent of Palestinians support Hamas', says Israeli Ambassador