English gangsters brawl with local thugs—and other highlights from Langley’s top cop visit to council

A group of thugs from England brawled with local gangsters while visiting Langley earlier this year.

One of the participants was stabbed in the incident and several of the English brawlers were sent home, Langley RCMP Supt. Adrian Marsden told the Township’s council recently.

Mounties are also investigating a human trafficking case involving girls as young as 12 working out of a hotel in Langley.

The previously undisclosed investigations were revealed during Marsden’s quarterly visit to council.

Despite the incidents, Marsden said it has been a relatively quiet year so far.

“We actually haven’t had a homicide here since October of 2022. Not every year is like that.”

Ongoing investigations

Officers responded to “several serious assault and stabbing investigations” between March and May, Marsden said.

The brawl between English and local gang members “resulted in a big mess of a stabbing so it took a fair amount of resources,” he said.

Marsden said Mounties called the Canadian Border Services Agency and “a number of people” were deported as a result. Officers also seized cash and drugs. It’s not clear how many people were involved or whether the individuals were known to police. The Current has asked the RCMP for those details.

RCMP are also currently investigating human trafficking of girls estimated to be 12 or 13 years old.

There was “some pretty serious violence occurring there,” he told council.

The investigation has been a joint effort between the Langley detachment, neighbouring police forces, and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, an anti-gang police agency. The RCMP declined to release further details about the case to The Current because the investigation is continuing.

But Marsden did tell council that the RCMP hopes to see charges related to the case.

Meanwhile, the RCMP’s Special Response Team is currently monitoring a home in Brookswood associated with property and drug-related crime. Mounties have been working with CFSEU and Air 1 to track their activities.

No further details were provided to The Current about the investigation.

Crime stats

It’s been eight months since Langley’s last homicide, Marsden said. But RCMP did respond to an attempted murder earlier this year. The victim survived their injuries.

Looking at a heat map of crime trends, Marsden pointed out that incidents are typically concentrated in Langley City and sprawl north along 200 Street.

From March to May, the most common violent crimes reported were assaults, harassment, and uttering threats. Property crime trends show catalytic converter thefts remain a persistent issue. Vehicle thefts and mischief to property topped the property crime list in both the Langleys in the three-month span.

During that same period, nearly half of all shoplifting cases came from three addresses: Real Canadian Superstore, Willowbrook Shopping Centre, and stores in the shopping complex at 202 Street and 66 Avenue.

RCMP also launched a speed campaign last quarter. From March to May, Mounties laid 57 impaired driving chargers, responded to six fatal car crashes, and reported 508 speed-related offences.

Shared resources

Langley Mounties are also serving in roles across the province. There are members currently assisting with pipeline demonstrations in Houston and fire suppression in Fort St John.

Marsden did not discuss the splitting up of the Langley RCMP detachment. (Township council voted to stop partnering with Langley City on a joint police force earlier this year.)

Watch Marsden’s complete presentation online.