Ilford man charged after double stabbing at community event

Gurpreet Singh, 25, of Belmont Road, has appeared in court accused of multiple offences in connection with an alleged fight during an Indian Independence Day Street event in The Broadway, Southall on Tuesday (August 15).

Officers were policing the event when a member of the public informed them about a fight at around 10pm.

They found two men, both in their 30s, with knife injuries. They were taken to hospital where their injuries were assessed as not life threatening.

They have since been discharged from hospital.

A section 35 dispersal order was imposed in the area following the incident that has since been removed.

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Two men were arrested at the scene.  A female officer involved in detaining one of them also reportedly sustained a small cut to her hand.

Singh appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court yesterday (August 17) and is charged with one count of attempted grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, two counts of GBH with intent, one count of affray, one count of threats with a bladed article and two counts of possession of a bladed article.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on September 14.

An investigation into the crime is ongoing and is being led by detectives from West Area CID.

Supt Sean Lynch, responsible for neighbourhood policing in Ealing, said: “We are aware of footage circulating on social media, with people also commenting on what they think happened.

“We would urge people to avoid echoing or adding to speculation. Fortunately, none of those injured were seriously hurt and there were no fatalities.”

He said the police recognises the “enormous concern” this incident will have caused in Southall and among the Sikh communities around London at what was otherwise a “largely peaceful and celebratory event”.