First pic of man, 26, dragged from his home and stabbed to death in street as UK’s knife crime epidemic claims 14 lives in 16 days

BRITAIN'S latest knife crime victim who was dragged from his home and stabbed to death in an East London street has been named as David Martinez.

The 26-year-old is said to have been stabbed six times - including in the back and neck - in broad daylight yesterday afternoon as he fled barefoot and begging for help.

Police say the attack is believed to have taken place inside a flat and that David knew his killer.

He was chased barefoot into the street in Leyton before collapsing as horrified witnesses rushed to help with blankets.

David died at the scene at around 5.10pm despite desperate efforts by passers-by, police and paramedics to save him.

The stabbing is not believed to be gang related. A post-mortem is set to take place in the coming days.

Just hours after David's death, a 22-year-old man died in hospital after being knifed when he was hit by a car in Oxford last Wednesday.

The attacks are the latest in a fortnight of bloody violence up and down the country which reached crisis point when two 17-year-olds were stabbed to death last weekend.

GRISLY MURDER TOLL RISES

Girl Scout Jodie Chesney was knifed in the back as she listened to music with pals in an East London park while straight A-Grammar school student Yousef Makki was knifed to death in a posh Cheshire village.

The senseless stabbings sparked political backlash with huge pressure on the PM to stem the flow of violence across Britain.

David's killing in the capital is understood to be the 21st murder investigation launched in London this year as bloodshed continues to plague the UK.
Locals heard him banging on doors and claimed he had been targeted by three attackers welding knives.

Suzana Ansar, 37, said: “He was running down the street with no shoes on, they attacked him in his home and he had run away before he collapsed.

“A man was walking past and he was the first to try and help him, but he was quickly turning blue.”

Others said an officer begged him to stay awake as he lay dying, pleading: "My friend. Mate, mate, mate, talk to me. Can you hear me."

No arrests have been made and a post mortem will take place in due course.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "Anyone with information concerning this incident is urge to call police via 101 quoting CAD 5145/6 March or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111."

SECOND MURDER VICTIM

Thames Valley Police have now also launched a murder probe after the victim injured in the attack in Oxford passed away in John Radcliffe Hospital.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Blaik, of the Major Crime Unit said: “We believe the incident started at approximately 2320hrs in Ridgefield Road (February 27) before moving into Southfield Road and involved a number of people.

“Sadly, the injuries sustained by the victim have proved fatal, and a murder investigation has been launched.

“I am continuing to appeal for any witnesses who may have seen what happened, or have any information about this incident to contact us."

BLOODSHED CONTINUES

Mounting pressure has been placed on Theresa May to try and solve the problem as MPs continue to argue among themselves in Parliament instead of tackling the epidemic.

The PM has been locked in a row with senior Tories after claiming that funding cuts to the police aren't responsible for rising crime.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid yesterday launched a blistering attack on Mrs May - demanding more cash for cops and for the PM to back his call to make it easier for police to use stop and search powers on suspect thugs.

And the embattled PM has been held personally responsible for the record level of stabbings by Met Commissioner Cressida Dick.

Separately, London Mayor Sadiq Khan tore into the Government over funding as he returned from a controversial mini-break – and visited a youth centre in Croydon.