MPA statement following the murder of Peter Woodhams in Canning Town, Newham

49/06
24 August 2006

We offer our condolences to Peter Woodhams’s fiancée and family at this difficult time.

The Metropolitan Police Authority will ask the Commissioner to report fully to it on both incidents and investigations relating to Mr Woodhams, following his murder in Custom House, Newham, E16 on Monday 21 August.

We will want to know how police responded to the earlier stabbing incident in January when Mr Woodhams was allegedly attacked with a knife and whether the handling of that incident had any bearing on his murder.

Without prejudging the outcome of the Metropolitan Police’s own investigations, we will want to see if there are any lessons to be learnt.

MPA link member for Newham, Aneeta Prem, said:

“This is a tragic incident which has shocked the local community, and our thoughts are with Mr Woodhams’s fiancée, family and friends.

“We will be asking the Commissioner for a detailed report into all aspects of this case so that it is clear how police responded to the earlier stabbing and what bearing that may or may not have had on Mr Woodhams’s murder.

“I welcome the news that the Metropolitan Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards is now looking into the matter.”

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