A teenager is fighting for his life in hospital this afternoon after being stabbed at lunchtime in the Shepherd’s Bush district of London. It follows five fatal stabbings in six days in Britain’s capital. Figures published yesterday revealed that in the year to March 2018, there were more than 40,000 offences involving a knife or bladed instrument. The number of stabbings in London totalled just under 1,300 in the year to the end of April. Now, the city’s two Anglican dioceses are bringing together a panel of experts “to explore what a church response could be to the serious youth violence which impacts communities and parishes across London.”

Sponsored by the Bishops of London, whose diocese mainly covers north of the River Thames, and Southwark, whose diocese mainly covers south of the River, the summit will “focus on gaining a wider understanding of the issues across London, listening and learning from participants and the experience of on the ground organisations”, the Diocese of Southwark said in a statement.

The Bishop of Woolwich, Dr Karowei Dorgu, will open the summit next Tuesday (13 November). Panelists include Sophie Linden, London’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime; Les Isaac, Director of the Ascension Trust; Mike McKeaveney, Assistant Director of the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education; and Leroy Logan, a retired Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police.

The Bishop of Edmonton, Rob Wickham, will chair proceedings. The closing worship, in Southwark Cathedral, will be led by the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, and the Bishop of Croydon, Jonathan Clark.