The entire park and some surrounding roads remain shut today (April 8) following the knife attack at the view point yesterday (April 7).
Police were called to reports of a fight and a 21-year-old man was treated for stab wounds – however he died at the scene.
Another man, in his 20s, was found nearby on Regent’s Park Road also with stab wounds which are believed to be not life-threatening or life-changing.
Forensic officers are at the park today, with a cordon also at Regent’s Park Road with a parade of shops closed near The Queen’s pub.
A forensics tent can also be seen at the top of the hill, reports our sister-site London Now.
Forensics at Primrose Hill (Image: Joseph Reaidi / NQ)
Eddie Levy, who has lived in the area for over 40 years called it a “wonderful area” but questioned where the police deterrence is from such brutal attacks.
“This isn’t the first time it’s happened,” the concerned resident said.
Yesterday’s murder marks the second fatal incident in Primrose Hill over recent years, following the murder of 16-year-old Harry Pitman.
Mr Levy continued: “I blame nobody else but the police, where are they?”
He said: “It’s just appalling and I think they’re a lot to blame for the rise of street crime.
“They’re not there and nobody sees them. It’s like the kids without a schoolteacher. It’s just sickening, absolutely sickening.”
Police near Primrose Hill (Image: Joseph Reaidi / NQ)
He added: “Ask anybody when they’ve last seen uniformed police – and we have the whole summer to come.”
Officers were called to the scene yesterday at 6.41pm, hours before Primrose Hill’s curfew on weekends.
While Mr Levy was originally not in favour of the initial curfew, he says with incidents like this it could prove necessary.
“I think at one point they’ll just have to close the park a lot earlier, which is a shame,” he speculated.
Police near Primrose Hill (Image: Joseph Reaidi / NQ)
Malcolm, 44, similarly told this paper his concerns about policing in the area.
He said: “Normally it’s absolutely fine (here), no problem at all.
“But then this happens and you can’t feel comfortable.
“It happens every day in London, here I think not as much, but there have been time I’ve called police for people drinking and (taking) drugs at like 4am in the morning next to the hill.
“They say they can’t make it but then they tell us not to get involved, so what are we meant to do?”
Forensics at Primrose Hill (Image: Joseph Reaidi / NQ)
A dog walker claims that her heart sunk after she heard people shouting and police “whizzing by”.
Police and forensics are expected to be present in the area for a while, with people unable to access all of Primrose Hill.
However, at Regents Park Road, many people are still going about their day as normal.
The victim killed has not been formally named at this time.
No arrests have been made at this early stage.
Police near Primrose Hill (Image: Joseph Reaidi / NQ)
Superintendent Matt Cox said: “This is an utterly tragic incident and our thoughts remain with the man’s family and loved ones.
“I would like to reassure the local community that the investigation is unfolding at pace and an increased police presence will remain in the area while we carry out enquiries.
“I would appeal for anyone who was in the area at the time and has any information that could help my officers to come forward.”
Anyone with information that may assist police is asked to 101, quoting CAD 6448/07Apr or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
