I 110% agree, police should have taken it seriously! from the start! poor girl, poor family, guess it's true what they say. People get away with murder theese day's it ridiculous!

Donna, Portsmouth, England

Stalkers are based on evidence that takes months to prove their title and this is often too late.
My recommendation is the we treat this type of crime more seriously to the point of re classification.Furthermore
make police either provide response warning alarms or mantory DNA samples & arrests.

alan, york, england

Sadly, the public now have the society which they deserve. A society in which criminals do what they like, defended by lawyers, wooly do-gooders and social workers who make a living out of the criminal justice system. Don't cry now and blame the police, we are swirling in a self-created cespit.

Andy, Walton on Thames, Surrey

What a sad sad story, a beautiful young lady life has being taken away for no reason, no reason at all.
If she was threatened before and told the police, why and why was it ignored?Why? and why? It does not always has to be gang related he might be mentally unstable or so, why not protect

smret, London, united kingdom

To get the attention this needs we must first scrap all bodyguards and special treatment for politicians. If anyone is bothered that we might lose politicians there would be another bunch along in 5 minutes.

Peter, London, UK

So a parent makes a complaint, they do not know who the male is, when Police speak to the victim she denies all knowledge.So how can this be blamed on the Police.If they have no suspect how can they follow it up.If anyone is to blame it's the bloke who carried out the attack.

James, Sutton, Surrey

if you murder someone you should be put away for life with no parole,we worry too much about the human rights of the offender and not enough about the victims.usa.does have its faults but at least life means life over there,and why not give the offener the choise life in prison or lethal injection?

mike, blackpool , lancs

The police's job is no longer to protect the public: it's to help the leftist police state further their control agenda

Carl, Land's End, USA

Mrs. Paniza heard the murder and ignored it, going back into her flat. This is what happens when a society has discombobulated - people don't feel connected with each other, responsible for each other. This is the main contribution multiculturalism and political correctness has made to Britain.

Carl, Land's End, USA

These pathetic youths weilding knives and guns on the streets think they're fighting some kind of war so I suggest conscription if they're so desperate for a fight. I would also say bad parenting has some part to play in the demise of Britains youth as well as an utterly useless government.

Annabelle, St Albans,

Yet again, we go to the police for help and protection..... and they do nothing.

It seems the only way to get any police attention is to be Posh and Becks and claim there's an intruder somewhere on your land. Then you get police in helicopters in seconds.

The rest of us just get murdered.

Helen E., London, United Kingdom

I see lots of calls for more police. But would any of you actually vote for a party that said they would raise taxes to put more police on the beat?

Sure, you say you would, on this and all the other comment websites. But when you actually set foot in the polling booth, you won't. Sad but true.

Andrew B, London, UK

The police are in a very difficult legal and statutory position. Their brief is to apprehend criminals that have commited crimes. They have no powers to anticipate and pass judgement on people that might or might not commit crimes. That is for social workers.

ChrisStuart, Carentan, France

Gabriel, I have been a Londoner all my life and you are right. society is breaking down. Mostly it is the behaviour of young lawless people in gangs that is scary, because we know that they are capable of senseless violence without regard for anyone. They often seem to know they won't be challenged.

andrew, London, UK

I'm so sorry to read about it. She died so young,only 15.We've got to think about the area's order of London. Firstly officals make some rules on those guys who are homeless,just don't give them a chance. Secondly,parents must keep the custody for their chidren tightly.Finally,help each other.

cristiano, Wuhan, China

What a terrible tragedy but where is the action on the carrying of knives? Our society has crumbled and no-one seems to be bothered. Perhaps the 'I'm alright Jack' pocket lining rich and politicians have another agenda. They are not concerned for the public that's for sure. My sympathy to the family

judy, Liverpool, England

Although knife crime is an obvious problem, 'broken britain' hysteria isn't helpful. People need to realise that around 2 women a wk are killed by someone they know, as Arsema sadly seems to have been, while about 67 children a year die at someone's hand. Chilling but much less acknowledged.

AM, London,

It all fits into place.
You have the incompetence and neglect of Labour on govenmental and local council level (lambeth).
Now add to that the Incompetence and neglect of the POLICE in fobbing off Arsema Dawit's mothers concerns about the stalker!.
It's PATHETIC.
Time for labour to GO!!!

Sean Hamerton, York., England.

John in Belfast,

you may wish to take responsibility for this madness but it's got nothing to do with me!

carol, spalding,

Why the whinging about the Death Penalty.? I can't think of anything more horrific waiting your turn to have a noose put round your neck..other than burying a child or a loved one because some rotten swine murdered them. The ultimate deterrent and if not , the ultimate penalty.

kirk, Rotherham, UK

You're all obviously not listening! Ask Gordon. What people are really concerned about is the economy, rising fuel prices and affordable housing. Not record numbers of youths being slayed every week in knife attacks. No ones worried about that. You ask Gordon. He'll tell you.

Ben, Kings Lynn, United Kingdom

Sadly I cannot see that there is an easy answer to this. I do not think that government posters and harsher prision sentences will do the trick. It surely must begin with understanding why people carry knives and stab others. More money should go to those working with youngsters to educate them.

rebecca , kettering,

A stalked child is killed as stalked women have been killed before. Of course something could have been done. It wasn't.
What is that then ?Do decent citizens and women in particular have no protection? What are the police for but to respond when someone is threatened?? What is law for??

Karen, Bristol, UK

Do'nt blame the Labour Government for the increase in crime. We are always treating the symtoms instead of the cause, and the cause is simply that most mental institutions were closed by Thatcherism in the eighties: resulting in over crowding of prisons by people who should be in asylums.

Norman Rigby, Wigan, UK

The Government don't actually give a crap as long as they get their money. That's how it feels anyway. Nothing is being done about these kinds of things in our society because they just can't be bothered. We are all to blame a little to be honest, we just turn a blind eye as long as it's not us.

Seetal Udeshi, London, UK, UK

I'm astounded at how many people are blaming the government, but what about the parents?? When is anybody going to take responsibility for their own children? And these are children, not adults! It's about time parents looked after children and not their own interests.

Jenniene, London, UK

This is really scary... when I lived in the UK in the 70's I felt so safe... It is really awful that senseless violence seems to be an every day thing there now. Looks like a complete societal meltdown is happening. I remember when " A Clockwork Orange" like a fantasy world.

Gabriel Melancon, New Orleans, USA

It is unbelievable that a young girl has died for no reason and a life is lost. Why do people let others use there place of home as a hang out.
My heart goes out to the family i am sorry for your loss, no words can bring back whats gone may she rest in peace.

parveen, leeds, west yorkshire

But the Government is already cracking down on crime. Measures are in place to reduce speed limits to 20mph and reduce legal blood alcohol levels.
This will result in more convictions, greater revenue and more dangerous motorists imprisoned.
This is what the public wants?

Paul, Singapore,

Each awful murder involving knives should be assessed on it's own facts. There is no 'one size fits all' solution. Media coverage is making us focus on the wrong thing. A knife is an implement, like a bat, fist or gun. It's our willingness to use violence to sort out issues that needs addressing

Anna, London,

Sadly,one can't legislate against murder.
Laws can't prevent it. There's a psychological cause that precipitates murder .
It's just a sign of the times that grew from the liberal 60s/70s.
Has the death penalty prevented murder in parts of the USA?
Modern entertainment glorifies it.

Peter, Ontario, Canada

I think the police should be to blame because if they did what they are paid to do this would not have happend i think her parents should complain big time

Simon, Highbury, Rngland

No government can legislate against murder.
It's just a sign of the times that was born during the liberal 60s.
Today our entertainment centres on violence (films, games etc) and we're desensitised to death. Nobody fears authority.

Has the death penalty stopped murder in parts of USA

Peter, Ontario, Canada

Not long ago, a Kurdish girl was murdered in an honour killing. She had gone to the police several times saying she feared for her life, citing her family (who were responsible for the murder in the end). The police ignored her pleas, with inevitable results.

Denis MacEoin, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Stalked women are killed after complaining to the police, who treat it like any other case. A civil injunction might have helped (civil judges are more likely to imprison for breach than the criminal courts) but the government is whittling away at legal aid so that route is more difficult

Peter Ryder, Middlewich, UK

It has been clearly stated that this sad incident is not racist nor gang related. It is just the result of a person unstable enough to carry out such an offence, Having said that it does appear to be yet another case of the Police failing to act and take preventative measures against this person.

keithw, Wirral, UK

Some people might be asking is "If my friend or daughter had a stalker would I let the police handle it or would I take my own measures"

This is the reason the Government and police need to get a handle on this.

John Begoode, Welwyn Garden City, UK

Not sure how this can be put down to a clash of cultures or a racial issue as this is neither gang or stranger related according the police. Rather than getting carried away let's wait for the facts. Don't use this girls death as an excuse to spout hatred towards blacks & muslims.

Akosua, Essex, UK

Perhaps it is our intollerable society which marginalises human beings who feel there is no need to try to be anything but aggressive and non compliant, when society labels people as potential criminials for being on the doll, or from another country.

chimene, london ,

The sentenceing is far too lenient, Prisonis seen as a soft option by many & also a badge of honor.

bring back harsher sentening, harsher jails along with corporal punishment.

The majoirty of society requires protection from the minority of mindless thugs not the other way about.

Iain, airdrie,

When briefing journos the police objective is to insinuate protagonists knew to each other, or better, there was a "relationship" between them. This allays public fears of the random nature of violence. Commentators here reassure each other it was an unavoidable, "inter-personal tragedy".

Jez, London, UK

Now what was it that Powell said about uncontrolled immigration?

Norman, Hinckley, UK

Law enforcement is not able to recruit enough bodies to police the communities effectively or maintain any kind of consistent presence - this is a major problem.

How do you solve this problem? How many of those people who have left comments here are policemen? How many would volunteer to join up?

Gareth, St. Sampson, UK

Elaine, Southwark, has the only rational voice I've seen here; this was NOT a preventable crime, but an inter-personal tragedy. Had he bludgeoned or strangled her, would all these calls for tighter restrictions and ridiculous penalties have done the poor girl any good?

Geoffrey Tudor, Sequim, WA, USA

When are we all going to stop blaming the government ?
In the UK we are just too quick to jump on the bandwaggon saying "its the governments fault".
In London we have just elected a new mayor who made crime a major part of his campaign. Now he is there he is reaising their are no quick solutions.

SAP, London,

Why does everyone have to make political capital out of this?
It's to do with one man, who was infatuated, and possibly a bit of a nut (who else stalks a 15-year old girl?). Tougher sentencing or a Tory government wouldn't have made any difference to this event.

Thomas, London,

the problem today for all things in general is that we are living in a nanny state where the goverment likes to frow away its money spying on us and watching crimes being commited. if we had a REAL police presence on the streets day and night like it used to be and should be we would all be safer!

mark, london,

It's shocking that people will use a tragedy like this to make irrelevant political points. A young girl has been brutally killed by a person as yet unknown. Her family will suffer the pain for the rest of their lives. Cheap shots are being fired at Labour and Gordon Brown. Grow up!

Esther, London,

Why is everyone blaming the government for this killing? As Elaine from Southwark has stated 'How could a non-gang related incident where the victim is thought to have known her attacker have been prevented by any government?' If you want to blame anyone, then blame mankind (yes yourselves!)

kim, London,

Poor girl, she thought she would be safe here.

Julia Iskandar, London, England

This hyperbolical nonsense is what offends me the most. 'We will all be killed in our homes'? Labour must stand down? A communities shortcomings are from the social attitudes, and beliefs of those who live within it, like these right wing, cowering behind your net curtain responses on this page.

chimene, london ,

Harman made no mistake in wearing a stab proof vest when visiting her constituency.
But how typically Nu Labour, rather than accept there is a problem that needs to be dealt with, she got body armour and a police escort.
And what do Nu Labour offer the rest of us ? The lie that "crime is falling".

jasper, chelmsford,

The attacker got through the broken security door to the block of flats.
It is believed that LABOUR Lambeth council are today fixing the security doors that have been broken for nearly 2 years.
Talk about bolting the stable doors!.
On both a National and Local level we all know who is to BLAME here!

Sean Hamerton, York., England.

Mass immigration, multi-culturalism and so-called 'policing by consent' has caused this mess. This is not just a Labour government problem - we're being pushed into chaos by the whole political class that governs this country.

Jeremy, Lincoln,

Not one original thought has been put forward in any of these comments, just the usual suspects - ban knives, longer sentences, death penalty, more police, government's fault. Sadly, people, crimes like these are EVERYONE'S fault - we have all made society what it is, and need to take responsibility

John, Belfast, UK

I know, pour millions of pounds of tax payer's money giving these people holidays, gifts, cars, extra benefits, the latest mobiles, games. All they have to do is say they won't carry a knife. Go on Gordon, do it. Give them money.

Bernard Lawson, London, England

How can this crime be blamed on multiculturalism if we are not even sure of the nationality of the murderer? The description of the SUSPECTED murderer was stated as "African in appearance", which probably describes every black male in London.

William Whitfield, London,

Another child murdered and yet no one is yet to make the point that they are because of a weak labour government that has taken discipline and respect and thrown it in the Bin.
The murders will continue and grow, until the UK turns into one big Vigilante Country. Revolution is on the cards big time

Mark, London, England

Another brutal and senseless killing. But what a daft thing to suggest bringing back the Death Penalty. It is the last resort of a barbaric society to believe that the 'Eye for an Eye' mentality can really solve things.

Tougher sentancing and 'Life' should mean life.

Paul, Hampshire,

Is it just me or does anyone else get the feeling that the Labour Government are being seen to do next to nothing about this knife epidemic??

Stuart, London,

My heart goes out to the family and friends of this poor young girl, who has tragically been added to the fatal stabbings list, when is this going to stop, alot of people are frightened to go out or to let their kids out, I am not afraid im just sickened by the sick minds these people have today.

Paula, West London,

To Jack in NY- Thank you, sometimes I wonder if I made a mistake leaving the US for Britain. The I read a deeply ridiculous statement from a fellow American like yours- and I realise I should have done it sooner. I pray that the gun violence that pervades the US doesn't EVER curse these shores.

Miss Dee, Tayside, Scotland

Another simple job for magistrate and judges. Sentence the killers 4-5 years. Job done (well done from their point of view)

I'm a shamed to say it but hang them save the tax payer money ....

kt, London,

The government's sentencing guidlines council has recently told judges that those carrying a knie should not got to prison, rather only get a community sentence or fine. Gordon Brown calls this "zero tolerance"

And we wonder why knife crime is out of control

Sam Wright, London,

My solution to all of societies ills is simple: stop the dole just like other countries with LESS violent crime. With the money saved, keep schools open much later, like about 9pm. The problem of bored teenagers is removed. Let the military in to school to sort out the trouble makers. Easy.

Dagenham Dave , London,

It is worth studying how many of these incidents are perpetrated by individuals who are recent arrivals to the UK. In other parts of the world, life is a heck of a lot cheaper than we are accustomed to on these shores. It is unrealistic to expect a newcomer to adapt to our standards overnight.

James, Manchester,

Is this yet another example of the crash of cultures? We mix every culture in the world together in London, create no-go areas, gang territories and mix it with softly-softly policing and then a young Eritrean girl lies dead in a lift. Is this another murder down to the multicultural nightmare?

Richard K, Nottingham,

What good is tougher legislation going to do when there aren't the jails (and I mean proper jails, not converted hostels or social housing where the criminals get to 'pop out' whenever they like) to accommodate them?

Howard, Manchester,

Furthermore, from the crime being committed through to custody, bail, court case sentencing, appeals etc. there is plenty of opportunity for a killer to do the same again - e.g. Gary Newlove.

Howard, Manchester,

Shocking.... Seriously shocking! Is this the same beautiful London I had seen just a decade back?

Ashish Deodhar, Mumbai, India

Another Tragic incident, its about time the police came out of their safe offices and began to patrol the streets before the public begin the patrol them for them.

Laurence, Chichester, UK

instead of wasting time on the al qaida boogey man, the govt should be worrying about the terrorism that is happening everyday, claiming young lives here. Are these not acts of terrorism to innocent people?

omar, london,

There is no "knife culture". There is, in the USA, no "gun culture". There is only a "culture of violence" as concentrated, in both nations, in the Black and Muslim communities. If knifes were made illegal, as guns are in the UK, then violent people would use such devices as cricket bats & spears.

James Pawlak, West Allis, USA/Wisconsin

How could a non-gang related incident where the victim is thought to have known her attacker have been prevented by any government? It is not the knife that is instrumental in this crime, it is the mental health of the individual who used it. Society needs to work together to stop these aggressors

Elaine, Southwark, UK

Everyone seems to forget to take a few questions into consideration before coming to a conclusion:
1) Historically, what is the rate of knife crime per head in London? perhaps the in last 10 years...
2) What is the rate of fatality induced by knife crime in the last few years?

fv, london,

It is no longer any good to say that these people are a minority. Most of us do not have bodyguards like ministers do and therefore unless SEVERE measures are taken against these people, normally placid law abiding citizens will eventually take the law into their own hands. Death penalty is a must.

Alan, London,

I seriously seriously HATE knifes and ALL VIOLENCE,BUT if this keeps on going and nothing is done about this by the peers that may be,such as the government ,police and the likes,people like MYSELF will have no other means of SELF DEFENCE against these barbarities BUT to start using a knife as well

Marc Raven , London ,

Please please please please please please please Can someone pleaseeeeee tell these judges,magistrates,government,police etc to make it count where it hurts for these animals,MUCH MUCH tougher SENTENCES is whats needed !!!!5 years for possession,give them 20,and when it says LIFe ,MEAN IT !!!

Vince Thorne , Manchester ,

These deaths are becoming more and more commonplace. I remember the Damilola Taylor affair as a huge deal. Now the names of these children are forgotten, there are too many to remember. How has Britain come to this?

Seán, Cork, Ireland

The Labour Government must stand down now before we are all killed in our homes..

Cromwell, Leeds, England

I don't know anyone in London who feels the police are willing and able to protect us. Not one person. We all consider the police to be a political, PC-obsessed, lazy extension of their political masters, driven by rubbish targets and easy revenue raisers. We need to look after ourselves.

Peter F, London, England,

Surely it is time for the death penalty to be brought back for these vicious crimes? And I don't want to hear any bleating about there being no place in civilized society for this ultimate punishment - what civilized society? It's now a jungle out there and these killers are just merciless animals.

Ian Dickson, Brighton, UK

Another death. Another tragedy. Another grieving family.

We are supposed to be living in an advanced society!

Can we get rid of this useless government and try and solve these real, heatbreaking problems and not have another set of initiatives and spin.

James, London,

Open your eyes Labour! You have destroyed crime and punishment since 1997, you have attracted vile criminals from around the world and the one thing you have never done is to protect the public. Every single one of you should hang your heads in shame.

Roger, Surrey.,

Labour has blood on its hands. When will they understand to project the majority you have to be very tough with the minority. Being tough will help the majority feel safe and tell the minority if you step out line you will be punished and not REWARDED. The reward stategy totally failed over the 10yr

dave reardon, nuneaton,

This Labour Government has blood on its hands, these labour lot always say " This problem does not represent the young people of today" we are not stupid we know that the majority of young people are very nice people but PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT THIS MAJORITY. Your current approach is to nice.

dave reardon, nuneaton,

Another tragic day on Britains lawless streets. When are we going to see real police ( not PCSO`s ) pounding the beat , using "stop & search" powers with serious punishment for anyone found with a knife??. Sadly never I fear as our policy on crime seems to just invent new laws for people to break.

Ian Gould, Chesterfield, UK

People don't seem to understand - just by increasing the penalty for possession of a knife or showing images that if you carry a knife you are more likely to be stabbed will not deter people from carrying them. People generallly carry a knife for protection, it is for the simple reason to use it.

Terry, London,

Labour not tough on crime you have blood on your hands!

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

After moving back to the UK from S Africa to avoid the high crime rate, it appears we have a problem here too.
Still i have every faith in Zanulabour to resolve the problems, afterall they appear to have done well in all other aspects of Government.........................NOT!

Andy Murray, reading, uk

How many more young people to die by the knife this year?
I know it wont solve everything, and I know the prisons are full, but take away the temptation, 10 years jail for carrying a knife.

Steve, coventry, uk

Good Work! Gun Control Wins Another One!

Jack, Highland, NY

Another simple job for magistrate and judges. Sentence the killers 4-5 years. Job done (well done from their point of view).

Vince Smyth, London, UK