Worsening antisocial behaviour at an iconic north London beauty spot has been blamed for the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old boy on New Year's Eve.
Harry Pitman was killed as crowds gathered on Primrose Hill shortly before the countdown to midnight at 11.40pm.
Police were called shortly before the midnight countdown and despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead.
It is believed that Harry, who lived in Tottenham, was with a group of friends near the viewing platform - where huge crowds gather to watch the New Year fireworks from the hill - when violence flared.
A single bunch of flowers was attached to the gate this morning (January 2).
As shops reopened in Regents Park Road today, staff were in a sombre mood.
At pet shop Pet Pavilion, manager Diane McLean and supervisor Nicole Agu reported customers saying "it was bound to happen".
Complaints about antisocial behaviour on the hill have risen since Covid lockdowns and The Royal Parks, the charity that runs Primrose Hill, plans to install new gates to close the open space overnight at weekends.
Nicole said: "It's shocking and he was so young. I've been up the hill so many times and you see a lot of antisocial behaviour but never to the extent of a stabbing. Since the pandemic it has got worse."
Fiona Harrington, manager of clothes shop Anna's, attended the fireworks on Sunday evening and said most people would have had no idea what was happening.
She said: "I drove in at about ten to 12, I've never seen it so busy, there were just hordes of people.
"There was a heavy police presence and a corner was cordoned off and paramedics beyond that but a lot of people didn't know what was going on.
"There were so many kids, so many families, it's the busiest I've ever seen it, it's just so sad."
Pamela Shiffer, who owns the ladieswear shop of the same name, said: "People come to Primrose Hill to enjoy it and see the views and being so close to the centre of town, you have green space. You never expect something like this on your doorstep."
Primrose Hill councillor Matt Cooper said he and fellow councillors Ajok Athian and Anna Burrage with be working with police and Camden Council in the coming weeks.
He said on social media site X: "This incident will be distressing for many in Primrose Hill. Community presence officers and police officers will continue to be in the area."
A 16-year-old boy arrested over the murder of Harry Pitman has been released on bail “pending further enquiries”.
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