Sunday September 12, 2021
By Kate Buck
Abdirahim Mohamed, 18, died after being knifed in the street, and it is claimed his brothers had to scrub his blood off the ground after police failed to clear the grisly scene
Friends and family members cleaned blood off the street at a murder scene (Image: Shareefa Energy)
Police have apologised to the brothers of a murdered teenager who cleaned his blood off the street after he was knifed to death.
Leicestershire Police have issued an apology and launched an "urgent enquiry" into why the blood of Abdirahim Mohamed, 18, was left on the ground after the fatal stabbing.
Abdirahim was attacked in Melbourne Street, Leicester, at 11.45pm on Wednesday night, where emergency services found him with multiple stab wounds.
He was rushed to hospital where, despite medics best efforts, he died in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Locals had arranged a vigil in the area at around 5pm on Thursday, but were shocked to find the street was still stained with blood.
It is claimed Abdirahim's brothers were forced to help clean up the street, sparking anger among residents.
Shareefa Energy, a youth worker who attended the vigil, said people became "angry and upset" about the scene.
She tweeted: "Police left the blood of a Somali boy murdered in Highfields on the streets.
Leicestershire Police have issued an apology and launched an "urgent enquiry" into why the blood of Abdirahim Mohamed, 18, was left on the ground after the fatal stabbing (Image: SWNS)
"I had to ask them to clean it, we covered it, hours later still no sign so we washed it.
"Why were the boys brothers and the community left to clean his blood off the streets?!"
The force issued an apology to Abdirahim's family, who said they had been "overwhelmed by the events of the past few days".
Leicestershire Police's Assistant Chief Constable Julia Debenham said : “I want to apologise unreservedly to the family and friends of this young man, along with other members of the community involved in cleaning up blood from the road and pavement.
"This must have been extremely distressing. It is totally unacceptable that this mistake happened and I have asked for an urgent enquiry into the circumstances.
"The investigation into this terrible crime and bringing the offenders to justice is our top priority.
"We have a large team of dedicated specialist officers engaged in this investigation who are working tirelessly to that end.”
A force spokesman said a 58-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
He remains in police custody where he is being quizzed by detectives.
In a statement issued by the police, Abdirahim's family said: “We are overwhelmed by the events of the last few days and cannot believe Abdirahim is gone.
"We’d like to be left alone at this time and ask for some privacy to grieve.”