London’s first stab victim of 2021 had made anti-knife video at college weeks before he was killed

The first teenager to be stabbed to death in London this year made an anti-knife crime video for his college weeks before he was killed as he tried to help a friend retrieve his stolen mobile phone.

Anas Mezenner died early yesterday morning after he was knifed by a gang in Haringey, north London on Tuesday night.

On November 20, he made a video for his course at City and Islington College to highlight Britain’s knife crime crisis. 

It called for police to carry out more weapon sweeps to find knives in parks and other public areas, reported The Times.  

The student had been asked by friends to help retrieve a stolen bag before he was set upon with knives by the gang just yards from Anas’s home in what his friends have called a ‘premeditated attack’.

Anas, who volunteered at his local youth club and had dreams of becoming a pilot, was taken to hospital but died from his wounds.  

Anas Mezenner had been at home all day when friends called him to help retrieve a stolen bag

Forensic officers next to a police tent on West Green Road in Haringey, north London as police launch a murder investigation

Forensic officers next to a police tent on West Green Road in Haringey, north London as police launch a murder investigation

The 17-year-old college student, who volunteered at his local youth club and had dreams of becoming a pilot, was taken to hospital but died in the early hours. Pictured, police at the scene

The 17-year-old college student, who volunteered at his local youth club and had dreams of becoming a pilot, was taken to hospital but died in the early hours. Pictured, police at the scene  

The teenager’s grief-stricken family said Anas was ‘very academic at school’, adding he was a ‘respectful quiet and humble boy who did not deserve this.’

His devastated older brother, 21, described him as a ‘legend’ and said Anas was a ‘humble’ person who was studying media at City and Islington College. 

He added that Anas enjoyed playing on his PlayStation, watching documentaries about flying and joining him for weekly football games. 

The Met Police have now arrested two 16-year-old boys who cannot be named for legal reasons and are currently being held in custody.     

The family paid tribute to their ‘lovely’ son. Anas’ mother said: ‘He did not deserve this at all. He was a lovely boy. He was studying media at the moment, but he wanted to be a pilot.

‘He was very academic at school. He got all his GCSEs.’

His brother said Anas had simply gone to see his friends when he was attacked, adding: ‘There was no need for this to happen. He did not deserve this at all.

‘He was a very nice and respectful boy. He was a quiet and humble person.

‘He was always upstairs playing PlayStation with friends, then he would go to school and come back. Then he came to football with me on Mondays and Fridays.’ 

One friend said Anas’s mother was at her son’s hospital bedside until 5am this morning in Whitechapel, east London.

Anas Mezenner was allegedly stabbed as he and friends confronted a group yards from his home

Anas Mezenner was allegedly stabbed as he and friends confronted a group yards from his home

Scotland Yard has now launched a murder investigation. Pictured, a forensic officer at the scene

Scotland Yard has now launched a murder investigation. Pictured, a forensic officer at the scene 

The teenager’s father is waiting for Covid test results before he can fly back from their native Algeria. 

A friend said: ‘He was such a good guy, he was totally innocent. He was at home the entire day until his friend called him out because his phone got stolen.

‘The phone got stolen so they called their friends out and thought maybe a fist fight to get it back. But it turned out the others straight away attacked them with knives.

‘A friend of mine saw them with bottles and hammers. It was premeditated. His friends were terrified too. They all ran off and he was the only one who got hurt.

‘He died in hospital this morning in Whitechapel. His mum was there but we’re trying to do a Covid test for his dad to come back from Algeria.

‘He would have been walking down with his hands in his pockets as he does and he was probably just caught off guard.

‘He was involved in the youth club and everybody there and in the community said he was a good boy. There was nothing bad to say about him. 

Police and Forensic Officers at the crime scene in north London, Haringey

 Police and Forensic Officers at the crime scene in north London, Haringey

‘He was a college student and he had an entrepreneurial mindset. He was interested in investing and bitcoin.’  

Detective Chief Inspector Jane Topping, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘My deepest sympathy is with Anas’ family. 

‘This is a tragic loss of a young man who was known to be kind and thoughtful, who was enrolled in a local college with a bright future.

‘It is a tragic and senseless loss of life. I would appeal to anyone with any information about this murder to share it with the investigation team.’  

The Met Police added: ‘Police were called at 21:10hrs to West Green Road, junction with Willow Walk, N15, following reports of a stabbing.

‘Officers attended with London Ambulance Service and found a male, aged 17, suffering from a stab injury.

‘CPR was administered at the scene before the victim was taken to hospital. Sadly he was pronounced dead at 04:25hrs.’