Man charged with attempted murder over stabbing of social worker
Neil Puffett
Monday, August 9, 2021
A 33-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a social worker was stabbed during a home visit to check on the welfare of children.
Sulai Bukhari, of Noel Park Road, Wood Green, is due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court today (Monday 9 August) charged with one count of attempted murder and two counts of attempting to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The Metropolitan Police said two officers attended an address on Noel Park Road alongside a 61-year-old social worker at around 7.20pm on Friday 6 August. The social worker suffered stab injuries which were treated in hospital and have been described as "non life-changing". The two police officers were also treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Isabelle Trowler, chief social worker for children and families, described the incident as “shocking attack on a social worker in the line of duty”.
Shocking attack on a social worker in the line of duty. I am so relieved he has not sustained life threatening injuries but shows the realities of child protection practice. https://t.co/etzpy1m66Q
— Isabelle Trowler (@IsabelleTrowler) August 7, 2021
In a joint statement, leader of Haringey Council Peray Ahmet and the local authority's chief executive, Zina Etheridge, said: "Social workers do an incredibly important job. Their safety is of uppermost importance to us.
"This type of incident, while rare, is an important reminder that frontline staff across the public sector put themselves in harm's way to do their jobs and we should all express our thanks and support for them as they do so.
"We also want to express our admiration and respect for the two police officers, who we understand sustained their injuries while protecting the social worker."
