Mariusz BerezowskiDetectives hunting the killer of a 14-year-old boy stabbed to death on a bus in south-east London say they are working “at pace” to find those responsible.
The teenager was pronounced dead shortly after being attacked as he travelled on a 472 double-decker bus in Woolwich at about 14:30 GMT on Tuesday.
The crime scene on Woolwich Church Street remains cordoned off and some road closures are still in place as investigations continue.
Following the attack, Metropolitan Police Ch Supt Louise Sargent described the crime as “horrendous” and said her thoughts were with those close to the victim.
Police, paramedics and the London Air Ambulance were called to the scene after the alert was raised by an officer on patrol.
Medics tried to treat the boy’s injuries, but he died soon afterwards.
Addressing journalists following the attack on Tuesday, Supt Sargent, Deputy Commander for the area, said: “Our thoughts at this time are with the victim’s family and friends. This is a horrendous crime, and I can’t imagine what they must be going through right now.
“I know this will be a worrying time for everyone here in Woolwich, and all the more so given the very young age of the victim.”
She added that there would be an increased police presence in the area following the crime.
‘It’s so scary’
The boy’s death comes just three months after another teenage boy lost his life to knife crime in Woolwich.
Daèjaun Campbell, 15, was fatally stabbed in September.
He was among 11 teenage boys who lost their lives to homicide in London in 2024.
One local mother, Kate, who also works nearby, told the she believed violent crimes like these seemed to be becoming “more and more common” in the area.
“It’s a bit daunting. I have a child, and I’m a bit afraid of walking up and down this road and even in this area in general; it’s becoming a bit dangerous,” she said.
“It’s so scary, and now these things are happening in broad daylight. It’s not nice.”