A councillor has called for urgent ‘multi-party’ action to be taken after a close-knit community was shocked by a fatal stabbing.
23-year-old Luqman Ishfaq, died after being stabbed on Barlow Street, Barkerend, on Monday evening.
Police immediately launched a murder investigation. Two arrests have been made.
Now Councillor Ismail Uddin (Bradford Independents Group, Bowling & Barkerend), says the tragic incident shows it’s time for the local community to pull together and do more to support young people in the area.
Speaking to Asian Standard Newspaper, Cllr Uddin said: “The victim was a well-known member of the local community who was much loved by all. The fact he’s been taken away from us so young is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
“It’s a clear message that there are prominent issues amongst the youth in Bradford and a terrible shame that it takes something like this to show that more needs to be done to look after them and encourage them to become better people.
“This needs to be a multi-party approach with local politicians, the police, the youth services and any other appropriate local representatives who must work together as a collective to tackle these issues.”
Meanwhile, many local residents today remain in shock at the horror that unfolded on their doorsteps earlier this week.
Speaking to Asian Standard Newspaper, a local woman, who didn’t want to be named, said: “I heard shouting, but at first just thought it was someone having an argument.
“As it carried on and got louder, I ran outside and saw the poor lad on the ground. There were quite a few people around and we all tried to do what we could for him, but it was too late.
“It’s a terrible shock to us all that this should happen in our neighbourhood.”
In a statement on Tuesday, West Yorkshire Police said: “Detectives have launched a murder investigation after a man was stabbed on Barlow Street, Bradford.
“Officers were called at 22.29 last night (21 October) by the ambulance service to reports a man was unconscious with stab wounds.
“A 23-year-old man was taken to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead.
“Detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are carrying out extensive enquiries.
“Local Neighbourhood Policing Patrols have been stepped up to provide reassurance.”
Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious is asked to contact police via 101 or use the Live Chat options at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat quoting crime reference 13240574802.
Information can always be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
