Teen stabbed in gang fight (From This Is Local London)

Teen stabbed in gang fight outside Ashtead Tesco Express

10:34am Thursday 30th October 2008 in Where I Live By Thais Portilho-Shrimpton

A 15-year-old boy has been stabbed in the face during a gang fight outside a well known trouble spot.

The brawl, involving at least 20 hooded youths, erupted outside Tesco Express, in Craddocks Parade, Ashtead, on Saturday night.

Less than two weeks ago Surrey Police made an application to revoke the alcohol licence at the same store after numerous complaints of crime and antisocial behaviour.

Police officers were concerned that groups of youths gathered inside and outside the store because management and security were “ineffective”.

But Mole Valley councillors rejected the application at a meeting of the licensing sub-committee on October 18, saying the store was not responsible for any trouble outside.

Ten people were arrested after Saturday night’s fight between yobs from Ashtead, Epsom and other neighbouring areas.

The 15-year-old needed stitches to his face and was taken to Epsom Hospital by ambulance after being stabbed in the face with a knife.

Chairman of the licensing sub-committee Councillor David Walker said: “I feel no responsibility for any of that, not at all. It’s these children’s parents’ fault and not the licensee. It’s not down to a particular shopkeeper to stop youngsters from causing trouble.

“It’s down to the police and the police only.”

Salim Khan, 46, the owner of Shehnai restaurant in Craddocks Parade, witnessed the aftermath of the fight as two youths entered his restaurant, one of them bleeding heavily, to ask for help.

He said: “In my opinion it was fuelled by alcohol. Before the fight started they were standing outside Tesco, as they usually do, intimidating people.

“They’ve asked me more than once to buy alcohol for them but I have always refused.

“Tesco should not have been able to keep their licence because of all the trouble in the road.

“Police should be a bit tougher as well, and the parents in Ashtead should be aware of their 15-year-olds causing trouble and drinking.”

A spokesman for Tesco said: “It’s important to us to be a good neighbour as antisocial behaviour like this scares customers off and lowers the general tone of the place, which is good for absolutely no one.”

Three 15-year-old boys, two from Epsom and one from Chessington, five 16-year-old boys, two from Epsom, one from Sutton, one from Chessington and one from Carshalton, and a 17-year-old boy from Epsom have been released on police bail until December 22 while enquiries continue.

A 15-year-old boy from Epsom was released on police bail until December 23, pending further enquiries.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Ian Moody said: “Detectives and officers from the Mole Valley safer neighbourhood team have been working extremely hard, which has resulted in the arrests we have made.

“I am still appealing to anyone who has any information regarding the assault in Craddocks Parade to come forward, even the smallest piece of information could help.”

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