Southwark and Lambeth’s neighbourhood policing chief has committed to bring his officer’s attackers to justice after first responders to a stabbing had bottles and stones thrown at them by a hostile crowd.
Officers were called to Moorland Road on June 2 at 9.37pm to reports of a man stabbed and injured with gunshot wounds.
The victim, who remains in hospital, may have life-changing injuries.
A seventeen-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder at the scene.
Superintendent Dan Ivey said: “The scenes we saw [on Wednesday night] were unacceptable.
“A shocking outburst of violence unfolded, in which a man sustained very serious injuries. But for the speed of the officers who responded, and the skill of medical staff, this could well have turned out to be a murder investigation.
“We are doing everything we can to support our colleagues in Specialist Crime as they investigate.
“Local residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area. I urge anyone who has information that could help us to call 101 or speak to those officers and tell us know what they know.
“Silence protects violent criminals. Police and local communities must work together to take these people off our streets.
“The scenes that followed the initial horrific incident were equally unacceptable.
“The officers at the scene were working to conduct an investigation following a serious incident and were dispersing crowds when they themselves were subject to an abhorrent attack from crowds of people who pelted them with items.
“The crowds were dispersed after further resources were deployed to the scene and order was restored.
“The people who were involved in that disorder can be assured that there is an investigation and we will be working to identify them and bring them to justice.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.