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Boy, 14, dies after being knifed outside empty police station
Anna Davis, Evening Standard03.12.07
A schoolboy has died after being stabbed in the back and head outside an unmanned police station.
Jack Large, 14, had emergency surgery and was put on a life support machine after the attack on Friday but died last night in hospital with his parents by his side.
Two boys, aged 13 and 14, were arrested on suspicion of murder.
Jack is the 25th teenager to be murdered in the capital this year.
He was attacked just after 11pm outside Limes Farm police office on the Limes Farm Estate in Grange Hill, near Chigwell, Essex, after reportedly getting into an argument with two other boys.
Teenager Maria Janus said: "There was a stupid little argument. I heard that for some reason Jack called the 14-year-old boy a 'n*****' and then the boy stabbed him."
Debbie Gardener, who lives opposite the scene, said her 17-year-old son Danny tried to intervene.
She said: "One boy had the other on the floor and was kicking him in the stomach and head."
She said her son saw one of the boys pull out a knife and stab Jack.
Before Jack died his mother Julie visited the scene of the attack. His friends had already laid flowers there, lit candles and signed a large tribute board. Mrs Large said: "He had so much to live for."
The killing has sparked anger in the community, with many people criticising the police for not doing enough to prevent violence.
Jack's stepfather William Corcoran said the neighbourhood policing office near where Jack was stabbed was not manned 24 hours every day.
He said: "There's a police station but you never see anyone in it. There should be somebody. If there had been, Jack wouldn't be dead now."
Mrs Gardener said parents on the estate have been asking police to deal with violent teenagers for months. She said: "Parents around here are in uproar. Every time our kids go out we don't know what will happen to them."
Another man who lives on the estate said: "This has been waiting to happen. We have a lot of trouble on the estate and nothing is done about it. We have asked for more visible policing and nothing is done."
Essex police said the community office was used by neighbourhood officers writing reports or discussing sensitive issues with residents. It said the building was small and would not comply with health and safety rules or disabled access regulations to be used as a regular police station.
District Commander Chief Inspector Ivor Harvey said: "Neighbourhood policing officers are more effective on visible patrols than sitting in an office. We have stepped up our visible patrols in the area in order to provide reassurance."
Reader views (16)
R.I.P JACK YUU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN,, WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YUU. RIP MATE XXX LOVE YUU XXX
- Charlotte, buckhurst hill
Jack, hope you are being good in heaven, love ya!
- Abbie School Friend, Chadwell Heath
Jack you will always be in my heart.
Jack Large, Rip...X
- Bilal Karim, Ilford, UK
My whole family are devestated by this. My thoughts go out to his family.
RIP JACK LARGE.
- Kg, Limes Farm, Chigwell.
R.I.P. little largey. Never forget you son.
- Ig6, Hainult
Jack I will miss you forever and ever, you are always in my heart.
- Sasha, Essex, Chigwel
Jack was such a well known and loved boy nobody that I knew disliked him my love goes to his family. I and everyone else will miss him loads and loads.
- Anon, Dagenham
This incident has left me feeling very distressed. It's such a senseless loss of a young life...How many more children will be killed before something is done. Are we to continue being armchair critics but never allowing our voices to be heard as parents? Are we going to blame the government for the senseless youth culture dominating this country? When do we realise that we must teach our children about the consequences of their actions, that there are boundaries, and choices. Children at 13 and 14 should never be roaming the streets at 11pm. They are far too feral. I have a child of 14 and I empathise with Jack's family. I knew her son well.
- Anonymous, Ilford,England
Jack I will always miss you. You were a great mate and you was always there for me. Miss you loads and loads.
- Shannon, Loughton
My condolences to the family of such a well known and bright lad with so much potential. I come from Romford,Essex and I find it very discomforting to know that violence and knife crime are getting nearer and nearer to the place I live. My girlfriend knew Jack and was totally mortified to hear the news.
- Aaron, Romford
Your friends obviously didn't know him either. That said, an awful waste of life.
- Anon, Hainault, Essex.
My heart bleeds for Jack's family, what a needless waste of life. A whole community affected by one senseless act of violence. Our young boys need direction and focus, society is failing its youth.
- Parent, Ilford, Essex
My heart goes out to Jack's parents. Such a senseless loss is heartbreaking. I intend no disrespect, but I do wonder why 13 and 14-year-olds are hanging out on the streets after 11 at night?
- Sue, Thurso, Scotland
Jack didn't deserve to die, he'll always be in our hearts, never to be forgotten. Love you!
- Anon, Essex
I live just round the corner and this morning I visited the spot where flowers have been laid. I nearly broke down in tears, I have never met Jack but have heard his name most of my friend knew him and told me how lovely he was.
- Anon, Hainault
Jack was a lovely boy and he did not deserve to be killed at all. He was such a joy to be around he was always smiling and making jokes. We will always miss him and love him.
- Georgia, England
