Murder probe after man stabbed at Brent Council HQ

A police cordon is in place outside Brent Civic Centre.

A murder investigation is continuing after a young man was stabbed in a building housing Brent Council's headquarters and a library.

Emergency services were called at about 14:30 BST on Tuesday to Brent Civic Centre, near Wembley Stadium in north-west London, where the victim, believed to be a teenage boy or man in his early 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

While some Brent residents described the attack as a shock, others said the stabbing "was not a big surprise" for the neighbourhood or capital.

Satellite map of Wembley in northwest London showing the area around Wembley Stadium and Brent Civic Centre. Wembley Stadium is labelled near the bottom centre, and Wembley Park Underground station is marked to the north. A red callout box labelled “Stabbing at Brent Civic Centre” points to a highlighted building just northwest of the stadium. An inset map of London in the top left shows Wembley’s location within the city. Distance scales of 100 metres and 500 feet appear in the bottom right.

On Wednesday, one man who works in the area told BBC London the stabbing "felt normal".

"These things happen every single day here, in London and in the area. It's not a big surprise," he said.

"You see things like this happen all the time. You read the news and every single day there's something going on. If it's in Harrow, or Wembley, or Neasden, or Willesden or wherever, it doesn't come as a surprise."

However, one woman who lives in the area said the stabbing "came as a shock".

"I've never felt unsafe around here and it's a bit concerning," she said.

Kate, another local resident, said: "Usually we feel very safe. We're fortunate living in this area because there are lots of security patrols and there are always people around.

"Stabbings are terrible tragedies, but it could happen anywhere, and I know there are areas of London that have to deal with that every day.

"I still feel safe. We're fortunate to live here with so much security; I wish that everyone lived in such an area."

Police officer stationed outside Brent Civic Centre

Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, said on Tuesday that the borough had been "shaken" by the "appalling and deeply tragic incident".

"Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, their family and loved ones, as well as the staff, residents and visitors who witnessed what happened," he said.

Butt said the Civic Centre would remain closed until further notice.

Supt Chris Clarke, the Met's lead for emergency response policing in the area, said the force was urgently working to identify the victim and inform his next of kin.

"We recognise the concern this incident will cause within the local community and are committed to keeping residents informed as our inquiries progress," he said.

"In light of the incident, we have authorised additional stop-and-search powers to help prevent further violence, support our investigation, and keep people safe.

"There will be an increased police presence in and around the area in the coming hours while our officers continue their investigation."

Original source Murder probe after man stabbed at Brent Council HQ

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