Andy Slaughter Raises Issue of Unregulated Airbnb Lets

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Following stabbing and arrest of 39 partygoers off Fulham Palace Road

Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter has raised the issue of unregulated Airbnb lets in Parliament, after a serious stabbing attack in Fulham Palace Road on New Year's Eve and the subsequent arrest of 39 people attending a nearby party.

In the House of Commons, Mr Slaughter said on 10 January: " On New Year's Eve, 40 people were arrested at a flat in Fulham in my constituency, following a serious knife attack nearby.

" The police told me that the flat had been rented out on an Airbnb-style let and then used for a party that attracted people from a wide area.

" The Government deregulated Airbnb lets in London; may we have a debate on re-regulating them to stop properties in residential areas being turned into hotels and hostels and, increasingly, becoming the focus of antisocial and violent behaviour?"

In response, Andrea Leadsom Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons said: " I was not aware of the incident raised by the hon. Gentleman, but it sounds extremely concerning.

" I encourage him, perhaps in the first instance, to seek an Adjournment debate so that he can describe the exact incident that took place and hear Ministers’ direct response."

Mr Slaughter also added a further comment on Twitter @hammersmithandy: "The Government's deregulation of AirBnB lets in London has allowed many residential areas to be turned into party hubs, encouraging anti-social and violent behaviour.

"It's time for the Government to help keep residents safe and consider tightening legislation on party rentals."

The scene of the crime was close to Mr Slaughter's own constituency office in Greyhound Road.

On New Year's Day, police released the 39 people detained after a man was critically injured after being stabbed on Fulham Palace Road in the early hours of New Year’s Eve.

Four teenage males have been bailed until a date in January. Two of them are 18-years-old and the other two are minors. In all 24 males and 15 females aged between 16 and 22 were detained. Those not bailed have been released under investigation.

Police say they were all at a party taking place near the scene of the crime and were uncooperative when officers attempted to detain suspects.

The victim, a man in his thirties, is still in hospital although his condition is now described as stable. It is believed he had become involved in an altercation in a newsagents and was then pursued and stabbed in front of the Sainsbury’s store on the Fulham Palace Road near the junction with Greyhound Road.

The police found the injured man at around 1am and he was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital.

The suspects were seen a short time later entering a nearby residential address which was hosting a party.

Additional officers, including the Territorial Support Group, attended this address and attempted to speak with a large number of people who were inside. The police say that the occupants failed to co-operate and therefore the large number of arrested was necessary. Two knives were recovered close to the scene.

Superintendent Mark Lawrence, said, "What appears to have been a minor argument has resulted in a man sustaining life-threatening injuries.

"Officers were quickly on the scene and provided him with first aid prior to the arrival of our colleagues in the London Ambulance Service. He has been taken to hospital where he continues to receive treatment for his injuries.

"Whilst it is unusual for so many people to be arrested in the early stages of an investigation such as this, due to a lack of co-operation and the necessity of securing essential evidence following a serious assault, this action was appropriate."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101 quoting reference 302/31Dec. Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

January 14, 2019