Residents in Hayes have spoken of their concerns after a violent incident marked four stabbings in as many months on their doorstep.
The latest incident left a man, in his 30s, in critical condition in hospital after suffering multiple stab wounds in Yeading Lane on Wednesday night (October 25).
He remained in a critical but stable condition two days later on Friday (October 27).
A man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has been released under investigation pending further enquiries and no further arrests have been made.
Recent violent incidents
Worryingly, one of a number of suspects was allegedly carrying a gun when they arrived at the scene in a vehicle.
A nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said: "This is an awful area.
"It's the fourth stabbing in so many months, practically on my doorstep.
"The only time we see police is when something happens. I hate walking past these shops because of the drinkers and gangs."
Hayes Town Centre Police tweeted that three knives were recovered from the streets of Hayes by officers on the same day as the latest stabbing.
But another resident claimed "it was only a matter of time" before another stabbing incident in the area.
The resident said: "I've been warning the police of the daily open drug dealing going on right at that spot, for months.
"They are fully aware of the problems but do nothing about it."
Previously, on September 8, an 18-year-old was stabbed twice outside The Music Box pub in Bourne Avenue in Hayes.
August saw two incidents, one in which two teenagers were stabbed during a large fight in Hobart Lane on August 22, and a man was stabbed in Station Road a week later on August 29.
And a 17-year-old girl was hospitalised when a street fight in Uxbridge Road left her suffering stab injuries, on July 5.
Hillingdon Police say they are "vigorously pursuing" investigations into these crimes and have been focusing on tackling knife crime in the borough.
Chief Inspector Graham Durn, of Hillingdon Police, said: "Hillingdon remains one of the safest boroughs in London in which to live and work and as local police officers we are working hard to keep it that way.
"Knife crime remains a high priority for the Metropolitan Police Service and here at Hillingdon we are undertaking a range of activities to combat knife carriage.
"There have been some incidents over the last few months which have involved knives and violence and we have made arrests and are vigorously pursuing investigations in order to identify and prosecute those involved."
Police are visibly patrolling 'hotspots'
In the week of the Yeading Lane incident, the borough's police were engaged in Operation Sceptre - the Met's response to knife crime.
Ch Insp Durn added: "We have been visibly patrolling hotspots, undertaking weapons sweeps (some with community members), arresting wanted offenders and engaging with our young people.
"We undertake these activities as part of our core policing approach and these particular weeks of action allow us to really focus on knife crime and ensure Hillingdon remains a safe place to live and work.
"Where incidents do occur we are doing our utmost to reassure communities and prevent recurrence."
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