Teen's Death 'Could Have Been Stopped‎

Stabbed: Maher Osman

Camden Town, UK, Feb. 15, 2006 – THE BRUTAL murder of a teenager in Camden Town could have been prevented, according to a Somali community leader.

Abdiwali Mohamud, chairman of the Camden Somali Forum, said a lack of co-operation between the police and the Somali community was to blame for the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Maher Osman outside Camden Town Tube station on January 28.

He said: "If we could have had information we would have done something. It was a surprise to us.

"The police should have told us what was going on between the gangs. I'm not saying they knew exactly this was going to happen but before this other accidents have happened."

It is believed the horrific attack was the result of rivalry between Somali gangs from Tottenham and Camden. Mr Mohamud related the tragedy to an incident in Tottenham in December when a 21-year-old was stabbed and hit over the head with a paving slab in clashes between Somali youths.

Mr Mohamud added: "If we had known these youths were preparing themselves to attack in Camden some people would have done something - parents would have made their children stay at home.

"There should have been collaboration between the community and the police. Maybe this would have been tackled and it wouldn't have occurred."

Somali community leaders, youth workers and councilors gathered at a meeting on Sunday to discuss how relations between young Somali men in Camden and Tottenham can be turned around. Two parents of the Tottenham men arrested after Mr Osman's death attended to offer their condolences to the grieving family.

A meeting between Somali community leaders from Camden and Haringey has been arranged for February 17 at Finsbury Park mosque.

One of the 24 arrested and bailed at the scene of the crime failed to re-appear at a police station last week.

But the officer overseeing the murder investigation says he is confident that every one of the remaining 23 men who have been bailed will re-appear in April.

Detective Superintendent John Sweeney said: "There is nothing to suggest they won't turn up in April and we would only act if we thought there was a real danger of them absconding."

Twenty-five arrests were made following Maher Osman's death. Twenty-four of the men have been bailed to return to central London police stations in early April, pending further inquiries. A 25th man was released with no further action.

Source: Camden Gazette

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