Recent Croydon stabbing prompts Roads Minister to call for Khan’s renewed attention to city’s crime
London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has come under fire for allegedly prioritising the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) over the pressing issue of knife crime in the city. This criticism has been heightened following the tragic stabbing of a 15-year-old, Elianne Andam, in Croydon.
Richard Holden, the Roads Minister, has voiced his concern, urging the Mayor to direct his attention towards crimes affecting the city’s residents. Commenting on the situation, Holden said, “I want to see the mayor fully focused on crime and antisocial behaviour. The Mayor of London, essentially the police and crime commissioner for neighbourhood crime in London, should really be focused on that.”
The victim, a student at the private Old Palace of Whitgift School, was on her way to school when the unfortunate incident occurred. The Met’s Specialist Crime Command is currently probing into the circumstances surrounding Elianne’s death. Meanwhile, a 17-year-old suspect apprehended shortly after the attack is still in custody.
Elianne’s grieving parents, Dorcas and Michael Andam, described their daughter as “the light of our lives.” Expressing their anguish, they said, “She was only 15, and had her whole life ahead of her. All those dreams have now been shattered.”
In response to the criticism, Mayor Khan emphasised his stance against using the incident for political gains. He remarked, “If the Conservatives want to use the murder of a 15-year-old girl as a political football that’s up to them. I’m not willing to play ball.” Source
