Stratford Centre murder: Anger as police officers post selfie from crime scene where young man was knifed to death

Ella Wills23 March 2018
WEST END FINAL

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The Met Police were forced to apologise after officers sparked fury by posting a selfie from a murder scene in Stratford.

Two Forest Gate North police officers posed with their heads together in front of the Stratford Centre in east London on Thursday morning.

It was captioned: "Crime scene at Stratford mall today."

The officers were guarding a police cordon outside the centre where Beniamin Pieknyi, 20, had died in his friend's arms after being chased and stabbed by a gang in the shopping centre on Wednesday night. He had reportedly stepped in during an altercation to help his friend.

Newham officers posted this selfie from the crime scene

Scotland Yard has since removed the image and apologised after the tweet sparked anger from people who accused the Met of being "too busy taking a selfie" to hunt for the perpetrators.

Police in Newham tweeted: "We apologise for any offence caused by the ‘selfie’ picture that was posted from the scene of a serious crime this morning.

"The officers showed a lack of judgement and sensitivity in posting this and they will be spoken to and reminded of how to use social media responsibly."

The picture had sparked outrage online as the young man's death marked the eight murder in the capital since last Wednesday.

Police and Forensic officers at the crime scene in Stratford after a man was stabbed to death
Nigel Howard

Natalie responded on Twitter: "Quite a few murders in the capital this week. I know!!!....let’s take a selfie by the crime scene."

While Mike Law wrote: "Have you caught the perpetrator(s) yet? Of course not, too busy posing for a selfie."

And Zara Lewis shared the picture, writing: "Um why are my local police posting selfies from a murder scene?"

Police were called to Stratford at 9.30pm following reports of a “disturbance” at the shopping centre.

Mr Pieknyi was found suffering from stab wounds. Emergency services battled to save him but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 10.30pm.

Friends described him as a "kind and helpful" young man.

The takeaway worker had come to Britain just two months ago and was living with his brother in Milton Keynes, a friend said. He had recently celebrated his 20th birthday.

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