New petition calls for stronger laws to tackle knife crime after Anita Mukhey murder

A FRESH petition launched on Change.org has called for stronger legislation on knife crime following the murder of a 66-year-old Indian-origin woman at a bus stop in North London on May 9.

The petition, initiated by Sanjeev Bhavnani, a member of the Sindhi Association of the UK to which the victim Anita Mukhey also belonged, also seeks additional resources for law enforcement to effectively investigate such crimes and increased funding for educational programmes that make young people aware of the dangers and consequences of carrying knives.

“The sad demise of dear sister Mrs Mukhey has shocked not only the Sindhi community of UK but also the wider community at large. This personal tragedy has highlighted the urgency and importance of addressing this issue. Knife crime is not just statistics; it's about real people, families, and communities that are being torn apart," Bhavnani wrote in the petition.

“We need stronger legislation against carrying knives unlawfully, more resources for law enforcement agencies to investigate these crimes effectively, and increased funding for education programs that teach young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives.”

He also cited information from the Office for National Statistics to say that in 2019, more than 15,000 knife crime offences took place in the capital which is a significant rise from earlier years and proves that current measures are not adequate to deal with the problem.

A man, Jalal Debella,  has been charged with the fatal stabbing of Mukhey, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

The victim worked part-time in the National Health Service as a medical secretary and was grandmother to two children.

Reports said the accused slapped, punched and shook the victim whose bag he allegedly tried to steal, before stabbing her a number of times despite members of the public asking him to stop.

She bled profusely and succumbed to her injuries despite the emergency services doing their best to revive her.

"Officers, London Ambulance Service (LAS) and London's Air Ambulance (HEMS) all attended the scene, where a 66-year-old woman was treated for knife wounds. Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency services, she died at the scene. Her family have been informed," a police statement read.

Dabella, who was arrested soon after in nearby Colindale, was charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon at Willesden Magistrates' Court on May 11.

Mukhey's family issued a statement via police as a tribute to her and requested privacy in this "difficult time."

Prosecutor Philip McGhee said the preliminary cause of death was found to be sharp force injuries to the front of the victim's chest and neck.

Judge Angela Rafferty KC set a plea hearing for August 6.