The church which operates Selsdon Hall says that it is “open to learning” after a teenager needed emergency hospital treatment following a stabbing outside the venue at the weekend.
Croydon Jubilee Church says that police were called late on Friday night, before the stabbing, over concerns around a group of gatecrashers, but that the police “determined there was no immediate risk” and left.
The stabbing occurred when one of the party’s guests was trying to take a taxi home. Sainsbury’s supermarket and Selsdon Library were closed on Saturday, while roads around the area were subject to police closures and diversions following the stabbing of the 16-year-old just after midnight on Friday.
The boy was in a stable condition after hospital treatment, according to the Metropolitan Police. Police sources say that there “have been several arrests” following the incident.
Selsdon Hall is managed by Croydon Jubilee Church, and was the venue on Friday night for “a private 16th birthday party… by members of the community”, according to a statement issued by the church.
The statement appeared to be an attempt to dismiss some social media comments that suggested that teenagers had left the venue noisily, perhaps the worse for drink, and that this may have in some way led to the knife attack.
Closed off: Addington Road at the junction of Old Farleigh Road on Saturday morning. Police tape can be seen on the other side of the junction
The Jubilee Church statement also appears to accuse the police of not responding seriously enough to their concerns when the party at the Hall was subject to an attempted gatecrashing by another group of youngsters.
“The event adhered to our established protocols,” the church statement reads. “It was chaperoned, attended by some parents, and restricted to invited guests only, with entry monitored at the door.
“The celebration proceeded peacefully, with guests behaving respectfully throughout.
“At approximately 11.30pm, as guests were waiting for parents to pick them up and for taxis, several uninvited individuals were observed near the premises. There was sufficient concern for the safety of the guests leaving that the doors were secured and law enforcement were contacted without delay.
“The police responded, evaluated the situation, and subsequently determined there was no immediate risk.
“Following this, as some guests entered a taxi, a group of individuals not associated with the party approached the vehicle, leading to the unfortunate incident…
“Croydon Jubilee Church operates Selsdon Hall as a non-profit facility for the benefit of the community. As community members ourselves, we deeply regret this incident and remain committed to addressing the underlying issues that contribute to such occurrences…
“We continuously seek ways to better serve Selsdon and are open to learning from these recent events.”
Scotland Yard declined to respond to the statement by Croydon Jubilee Church when approached for comment by Inside Croydon.
Any witnesses to the incident have been asked by the Met Police to call 101 quoting CAD 39/05Jul.”
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