In a harrowing incident at Kennington Underground station, Nicholas Orlando Green, 36, launched a brutal and unprovoked attack that left two men seriously injured and a woman assaulted as he fled. The attack, which took place shortly after 10.30pm on March 27 last year, involved Green stabbing the first victim repeatedly for around 20 seconds before knocking down and stabbing the second man who attempted to intervene. The violence only ceased after members of the public stepped in, at which point Green assaulted a 31-year-old woman before escaping the scene.

The two male victims, aged 44 and 42, were hospitalised with severe injuries. The older man suffered multiple stab wounds to his chest and a fractured humerus in his left arm, while the second victim was stabbed 13 times in total. Green was subsequently identified by police through a bank card he used at the station and the trainers he wore during the attack. During police interviews, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell recounted that Green showed no remorse, instead laughing and lying repeatedly in an attempt to obfuscate the investigation.

On September 1, Green was found guilty at Inner London Crown Court of two counts of grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, possession of a bladed article, and common assault. However, he was acquitted of two counts of attempted murder and one count of sexual assault. DCI Attwell described the attack as “horrific,” emphasizing the profound physical and psychological impact on the victims, and reaffirmed the police’s commitment to holding violent offenders accountable.

This brutal episode underscores a broader and alarming trend in London, where knife crime continues to escalate sharply. Latest figures reveal that in 2024, London accounted for nearly a third of all knife crimes recorded in England and Wales, with 16,789 offences reported by the Metropolitan Police. This represents a 22% increase compared to the previous year and averages out to around 46 knife incidents every single day in the capital. Nationally, the total stands at 54,587 knife crimes, marking a 2% rise from 2023, highlighting how London disproportionately bears the brunt of this surge.

The increase in knife crime is attributed to various complex factors, including socio-economic challenges and the proliferation of gang-related activity. Campaigners and experts have repeatedly urged for decisive action, warning that delays in legislative measures contribute to worsening public safety. For instance, a ban on so-called ‘zombie knives’ is slated to come into effect only in September 2025, a timeline criticised for being too slow to stem current violence trends. Community outreach programmes and tougher legislative approaches are among the strategies advocated to tackle the epidemic.

The rise in knife offences in London’s iconic areas, such as the West End, further exacerbates concerns, with research showing it accounts for more knife crime than almost 15% of the rest of the city combined. The issue has sparked political controversy, with some critics blaming the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, accusing him of undermining the Metropolitan Police and failing to effectively address the spiralling violence.

As violent crimes like the attack committed by Green continue to shock the capital, the need for immediate and sustained intervention grows ever more urgent. Police forces, policymakers, and community leaders face mounting pressure to enact and enforce measures that restore safety and prevent further harm in London’s public spaces.

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Source: Noah Wire Services