Oxford Street boxing day stabbings

Tragedy struck the West End region of London on Boxing Day with two separate fatal stabbing attacks and another man injured. Seydou Diarrassouba, aged 18 and from Mitcham in South west London, was stabbed through the heart outside

Footlocker in the centre of the Oxford Street, the capital’s shopping district at 13:45 GMT during the first day of the clearance sales, after a brawl in the shop spilled out onto the pavement.

Several hours later another young man received a fatal knife attack but got away with only severe injuries. It came as huge numbers of shoppers flocked to Oxford Street after Christmas and retailers were expecting a post Christmas sales boost after a slow year.

Richard Dickinson, CEO of local business partnership group New West End Company, commented: “These attacks were a shock to both our businesses and shoppers. These types of incidents are extremely rare in Oxford Street and the professional and swift work of the Metropolitan Police has led to arrests being made.

“A note of thank you also to the quick work of the ambulance services who assisted the police during both events and the Footlocker staff who dealt with the incident at their store in a highly professional way.

“London’s West End is one of the safest places to visit in Europe. The ongoing work of the Metropolitan Police, Westminster City Council and businesses ensures that millions of visitors enjoy their time here in a safe and secure environment.”

Having been closed off, the area is now fully reopened for business.