ENFIELD'S police chief has spoken out over the deaths of two teenagers in Enfield, calling the murders "unprecedented and tragic".

Borough commander Adrian Hanstock issued a statement today saying the police would not lose sight of how devastating the deaths of Henry Bolombi and Louis Boduka had been for their families, but added that Enfield remained a safe borough.

He said: "The deaths of these two young men are devastating for their families and loved ones - lives lost before they've even begun.

"But it needs to be recognised that Enfield is a safe borough, and, in reality, only a small proportion of residents and visitors are affected by crime."

Chief superintendent Hanstock said police were carrying out specific activities to tackle this type of offending, such as the use of mobile metal detectors to disrupt those wishing to commit criminal acts, as well as identifying and protecting those who may feel vulnerable and carry weapons as a form of self-defence.

He said a large number of offensive weapons had been recovered and in the last eight months 167 people had been arrested for such offences.

The large Safer Schools team in Enfield raise awareness of the consequences of knife crime, while working with other agencies to provide worthwhile activities for young people, he said.

The borough commander also pointed to the use of targeted stop and search operations, which critics say alienates young people and leaves them lacking faith in the police.

He said members of the Independent Advisory Group observed police operations on a regular basis.

However, looking beyond the line put forward by Enfield's Conservative councillors, that the only solution for knife crime was tougher punishment, Chf Supt Hanstock said everyone needed to work together to prevent young people being drawn into crime.

He said: "Violent crimes affect our most challenged individuals; those who actually need more of our attention and support. They may experience a range of social and personal issues that can drive them towards pseudo family' groups and towards criminal behaviour."

He said he firmly believed in the need for parental responsibility and that it was important that parents understand how criminality can grow and petty crime can escalate quickly into something far more serious.

"What we are experiencing here and elsewhere in the country is not something that can or should be left to the police alone to tackle; this is an issue that should concern all of us and stimulate us collectively into doing more to protect and educate young people," he said.