Harry Pitman was stabbed on New Year’s Eve

POLICE are hoping mobile phone footage taken on Primrose Hill on New Year’s Eve could lead them to Harry Pitman’s killer.

The 16-year-old died after being stabbed in the park as he waited to watch the city lit up by fireworks, dying just minutes before midnight.

Thousands of people had gathered to get a good view with the gates unlocked, and Harry had been out with friends. Nobody has yet been charged with murder and although there have been three arrests – two on suspicion of murder, one of affray – detectives still want to establish the chain of events which led to the stabbing.

There had been reports of an altercation in the park before he was killed. Officers have made two appeals for people to share any relevant footage, as hundreds of people had their phone cameras out ready to capture the fireworks.

Yesterday (Wednesday) the New Journal witnessed an emotional scene in the park as the team of six police officers who had rushed to save 16-year-old Harry’s life brought flowers to pay their respects. There will also be a moving tribute at Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium tomorrow night (Friday) when his name is due to be chanted by 60,000 supporters during an FA Cup match.

His family live in Tottenham and he attended St Thomas More Secondary School in Haringey, where teachers were paying warm tributes to his character this week. Around 100 of his family and friends met for a vigil in a park near his home – Downhills Park – where flowers were fixed to railings to chants of “he’s one of our own”.

In a tribute yesterday (Wednesday) Harry’s older sister Tayla said: “The record needs to be set straight: Harry was not in any way shape or form involved in any gangs with anyone who could cause trouble. He has not ever been in trouble with police. People are making out that he died because he did something, but he is the victim here.

“Harry didn’t deserve to die. Everyone needs to know Harry was a good boy. He didn’t do any harm.”

Detective chief Inspector Geoff Grogan, who leads the investigation, ruled out a racial motive to the attack, saying: “We are aware of speculation, especially on social media, that the attack may have been racially motivated and I can confirm that there is no indication of a racial motive.

“Despite having made three arrests, I am still very keen to hear from anyone who has footage or information that could assist our investigation. Similarly, I would like to thank everyone who has come forward so far – the help that you have given makes a difference.”

Primrose Hill was locked shut Friday to Sunday between 10pm-6am in summertime as part of a new regime set up following complaints from Primrose Hill residents of rising antisocial behaviour dating back to the Covid lockdowns.

On New Year’s Eve a special dispensation had been given for the park to remain open until 1am so crowds could celebrate. Fireworks are banned in Primrose Hill but thousands of people still gather at the summit for the free and unobstructed view of the central London display.

Police at the gates to the park on New Year’s Day morning [Simon Lamrock]

The Royal Parks charity that runs Primrose Hill park said it had supplied stewards and tower lights on the night that many attendees estimated say drew well over the 10,000 numbers that the authorities had planned for.

Last May, the row over crime in the park reached the Town Hall with residents telling a council scrutiny meeting that the mood of late night park parties had changed from “fun and frolics” to something “more sinister”.

It was part of a long running dispute about permanent gates being installed and, ultimately, led to the Royal Parks lodging a planning application with Camden Council that is awaiting a decision.

Eleanor Sturdy, chair of Primrose Hill Safer Neighbourhood panel had told the committee: “The park has developed a reputation. It is not as loud and noisy as the hot summer nights of 2020 when the raving and Glastonbury-type stuff was going on up there. It is nastier.”

Yesterday Ms Sturdy said the scourge of knife crime was to blame for the tragedy, not the lack of gates, and stressed that “the real sadness is thinking of a teenager who has lost their life”.

She added: “But there are questions about if there is going to be big event like this then it has to be managed like an event, like football matches are.

“The Parks have got to be thinking long and hard about that now. Primrose Hill New Year’s Eve is well known now on social media – it’s in tourist brochures.”

The Met has been the force worst affected by government budgets cuts over the past decade with loss of officers leading to the drop off in “detection and charge” rates.

In Baroness Louise Casey’s bombshell report into the Met last year, it was revealed that the number of crimes being solved has slumped to 8 per cent, down from 21 per cent of offences in 2012-13.

Policing of the area has been part of the ongoing debate, as those who wanted to protect round-the-clock access argued that the space she managed rather than locked up.

A Royal Parks spokesperson said: “The tragic stabbing of Harry Pitman on New Year’s Eve is being investigated by the police. Our thoughts are with Harry’s family and friends.

On New Years Eve, the park was open until 1am for visitors to enjoy the celebrations, supported by a police presence, and The Royal Parks supplied stewards and tower lights.”

Camden Superintendent Jack Rowlands added: “This is a tragic start to 2024 for Camden. Local people will continue to see officers around the area of Primrose Hill in the coming days – we are here for you to speak with.” Anybody with information can call the investigation team on 020 8785 8099. A

16-year-old boy arrested on December 31 has been released on bail without charge. A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder yesterday (Wednesday), while an 18-year-old man was held on suspicion of affray.