Shop workers in Romford believe the town centre is becoming worse for crime after three teenagers suffered knife wounds last night.

The boys, aged 15, 16 and 17, were found with the injuries after police were called to reports of a stabbing in South Street just before 5.40 pm on Monday (February 27).

The teens are not in a life-threatening condition, police say, while three males have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Sanjay Yagnik, 63, from South Street clothing store Utter Nutter, was at work when he heard the commotion outside. He said: “We are shocked, angry…you kind of freeze, you don’t know how to react when something like this happens."

Read More: Romford town centre stabbing: Three teenage boys in hospital

He claimed incidents of crime involving young people are becoming more common on their street. “We had seen nothing as serious as this, but we do see lots of smaller instances and fights”, he added. 

Ali Kaysor, 34, a manager at Gadcet Romford in South Street, said: “We have been operating here since 2018, and as years go by it is just getting worse and worse around here."

Romford Recorder: Sanjay Yagnik works at Utter Nutter in South StreetSanjay Yagnik works at Utter Nutter in South Street (Image: Ken Mears)

Sanjay believes incidents like last night's could make people wary of the place.

He said: “The high street, especially the shops on the outside, would be affected. When it goes dark, you wouldn’t want to hang around in the area."

The South Street incident comes only days after a college student was stabbed in Ardleigh Green.

In November 2022, the Recorder reported that knife crime had gone up in Havering by 28% from the previous year.

Police are calling for anyone with information on the South Street incident to contact them.

Supt Lisa Butterfield, lead on neighbourhood policing in Havering, said: “Officers will be patrolling in the town centre at key times all week to reassure local people, and I encourage anyone who is concerned or anxious to approach those officers.

“We know that there were a number of people in and around the shopping centre when this incident happened – if you are one of those people and you haven’t yet spoken to police, please do get in touch.”

Any witnesses are asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting 5355/27Feb. To remain anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.