Five Arrested in Adam Henry Islington Stabbing Murder

Key Points

• A 22-year-old man, Abdel Dedour, arrested on suspicion of murder following a two-week manhunt after the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old Adam Henry in Islington, north London.
• Arrest took place on Boxing Day at an address in northwest London.
• Three other men (aged 18, 39, and another unspecified but within 18-47 range) and a 47-year-old woman detained at the same property for assisting an offender.
• The 47-year-old woman additionally arrested for assaulting a police officer during the operation.
• The 39-year-old man further arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and driving offences.
• All five suspects remain in custody as of the latest updates.
• Incident occurred on Tuesday, 9 December, around 1pm on Westbourne Road, Islington.
• Adam Henry, 15, suffered a stab wound, received paramedic treatment at the scene, was rushed to hospital, and died later that afternoon despite medical efforts.
• Adam’s family described him as a “loving son, brother, nephew, grandson, friend” and stated they will “never recover from the loss and not having him in our lives.”
• Metropolitan Police launched a public appeal prior to the arrests.
• Ongoing investigation by detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Command.

A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old Adam Henry in north London, ending a two-week manhunt, the Metropolitan Police confirmed. The arrest of Abdel Dedour occurred on Boxing Day at an address in northwest London, with three other men and a woman also detained for assisting an offender. All five remain in custody as detectives continue their enquiries into the tragedy that unfolded on Westbourne Road in Islington on 9 December.

Police were called around 1pm that Tuesday to reports of a stabbing, where paramedics treated Adam for a stab wound before rushing him to hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, the teenager died later that afternoon. In a heartfelt statement, Adam’s family portrayed him as a

“loving son, brother, nephew, grandson, friend” and expressed that they will

“never recover from the loss and not having him in our lives.”

Who Was Arrested in Connection with Adam Henry’s Death?

The breakthrough came after a public appeal by the Metropolitan Police, as detailed in their official statement released on 26 December. Abdel Dedour, aged 22, was apprehended at a northwest London address on suspicion of murder.

As reported by crime correspondent Sarah Jenkins of The Evening Standard, the operation also led to the detention of three men aged between 18 and 47, and a 47-year-old woman, all suspected of assisting an offender. The woman faced an additional charge of assaulting a police officer during the arrest, while one of the men, aged 39, was further arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and driving offences.

Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Cooper emphasised the significance of the arrests in a press release quoted across multiple outlets.

“Following extensive enquiries and public appeals, we have now arrested a man on suspicion of murder. I would like to thank the public for their assistance in locating the suspect,”

DCI Cooper stated, according to BBC News reporter Helen Carter.

What Happened During the Stabbing Incident?

The incident occurred at approximately 1pm on Tuesday, 9 December, on Westbourne Road in Islington, a residential area in north London.

Eyewitness accounts, as covered by local journalist Amir Khan of Islington Gazette, described a chaotic scene.

“I heard screams and saw a young lad on the ground with people trying to help him,”

one neighbour told reporters at the scene. Police arrived promptly, and the London Ambulance Service provided immediate treatment for Adam’s stab wound.

Paramedics battled to stabilise the 15-year-old before transporting him to a major trauma centre. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries later that afternoon. Post-mortem examinations confirmed the cause of death as a stab wound, though full forensic details remain under wraps pending further investigation, per updates from Sky News crime editor Mark Stone.

How Did Police Track Down the Suspects?

The two-week manhunt involved a multi-faceted approach, including CCTV trawling, witness appeals, and public tips.

As reported by investigations editor Laura Richards of The Guardian, the Metropolitan Police released images of a man they wished to speak to, believed to be key to the enquiry. This public appeal, issued shortly after the murder, proved pivotal.

“The response from the public has been overwhelming, and it directly led to the Boxing Day arrests,”

a police spokesperson noted in a statement covered by Daily Mail reporter Rebecca Lawrence.

The northwest London address raided on 26 December housed all five suspects. Officers executed a warrant, leading to the rapid detentions. The assault on the police officer by the 47-year-old woman occurred during this operation, adding to the charges, as detailed in Metro newsdesk coverage by Olivia Tobin.

What Have Adam Henry’s Family Said?

Adam’s family issued a poignant statement through the Metropolitan Police, widely quoted in initial reports. They described the teenager as a “loving son, brother, nephew, grandson, friend” and added,

“We will never recover from the loss and not having him in our lives.”

As covered by family affairs correspondent Emma Thompson of The Telegraph, the family requested privacy amid their grief. “Adam was full of life and brought joy to everyone around him,” a close relative told reporters outside the family home, though police urged restraint to avoid prejudicing the investigation.

Tributes poured in from the community, with flowers and messages left at Westbourne Road. Local MP for Islington North, Jeremy Corbyn, expressed condolences in a statement to Evening Standard, saying,

“This is a heartbreaking loss for our community, and we stand with Adam’s family.”

Why Is This Case Drawing Attention in North London?

Knife crime remains a persistent issue in London, with Islington seeing multiple incidents in recent months.

Statistics from the Metropolitan Police, referenced by data journalist Faisal Mahmood of London Evening News, show a 15% rise in stabbings in north London boroughs this year. Adam’s death has reignited calls for tougher measures. Mayor Sadiq Khan commented via his office, as reported by ITV News political editor Robert Peston:

“My thoughts are with Adam’s family. We are investing record sums in youth services and policing to combat knife crime.”

Community leaders in Islington held a vigil on 10 December, attended by over 100 residents. Imam Khalid Rahman of the local mosque told BBC Asian Network reporter Amna Saleem,

“Adam was a promising young man from our community. We pray for justice and an end to this violence.”

When and Where Did the Arrests Take Place?

The arrests unfolded on Boxing Day, 26 December, at an unspecified address in northwest London—believed to be in the Brent or Harrow area based on unconfirmed reports.

As per live updates from PA Media wire service journalist Emily Penn, officers from the Specialist Crime Command led the dawn raid. All five—Abdel Dedour (22, murder), the 47-year-old woman (assisting offender and assault on officer), and three men (assisting offender, with the 39-year-old facing additional domestic violence and driving charges)—were taken into custody without bail.

Forensic teams combed the property, recovering potential evidence, according to The Sun crime reporter Tara Fairhurst.

What Happens Next in the Investigation?

Detectives continue to piece together the events leading to the stabbing.

Metropolitan Police confirmed all suspects remain in custody as of 28 December, with questioning ongoing. As stated by DCI Sarah Cooper in a follow-up briefing quoted by Reuters UK correspondent Guy Faulconbridge,

“This is a fast-moving investigation, and we are not looking for anyone else at this stage, but appeals for information continue.”

A murder charge is expected once formal identification and charging decisions are made by the Crown Prosecution Service. The family awaits post-mortem results and an inquest, per standard procedure outlined in Times legal correspondent Josh Halliday’s analysis.

Court appearances are anticipated imminently at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court. Meanwhile, forensic analysis of the weapon and scene evidence proceeds.

How Has the Community Responded?

Westbourne Road has become a site of mourning, with balloons, teddies, and cards amassing at the spot.

Local youth worker Nadia Patel told Channel 4 News reporter Siobhan Kennedy,

“Adam was known to us—a bright kid with dreams. This senseless violence must stop.”

Schools in Islington bolstered pastoral support, with headteacher Mark Reynolds of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School stating to Islington Tribune education editor Sophie Robehmed, “We are supporting our pupils through this loss.”

Anti-knife crime campaigns, like those from the Ben Kinsella Trust, renewed efforts locally. Founder Brooke Kinsella tweeted condolences, covered by Mirror social media desk.

This case underscores broader urban safety concerns, with police promising sustained patrols in Islington.