North End Croydon, Pic: Google Maps

A murder investigation has started after a teenage boy was stabbed to death in Croydon last night, the Metropolitan Police said.

Police were called to the scene in North End, Croydon at around 7pm last night.  The teenage victim, who is believed to be 17, was found by police with serious stab injuries.

The Metropolitan Police said: “Officers administered first aid before the London Ambulance Service arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.  Police believe they know the identity of the victim and enquiries are under way to locate his next of kin.”

Scotland Yard said the Homicide and Major Crime Command investigation was underway and that a cordon remains around the area, with no arrests made so far.

This fatal stabbing comes days after Croydon MP Sarah Jones called on the Government for a more coordinated strategy to tackle knife crime.  She told the Guardian that on her campaign trail this year :“Knife crime came up on the doorstep a lot. It’s doubled in the last year in Croydon. So it’s a big problem that’s on everybody’s radar.”

Her plan to tackle the issue would have the Government treat knife crime not just as a police issue, but a cause which brings together those working in health, education and social media.

Sarah Jones responded to the attack with a statement on twitter:

On tonight's fatal stabbing in #Croydon: pic.twitter.com/zJCBoeSXgX

— Sarah Jones MP (@LabourSJ) October 29, 2017

Jones’ focus on knife crime has been praised by many including MP Rosie Duffield, who said: “Really sad this has happened Sarah. Well done for constantly highlighting the knife crime crisis and working so hard towards a real change.”  Others on twitter raised questions – @antiknifeuk said: “we need action not words ….. we have lost over 250 people to knife crime this year…. 74 in London……..how many more will we lose?”

Knife crime has been a persistent problem in Croydon – earlier this year ELL reported that Croydon was ranked in the top five boroughs for knife related violence, and ranked first for knife related murder, with six people killed in the borough in 2016. For more about Croydon’s battle with knife crime, read this story from ELL mapping incidents in the borough.

Anyone with information which could assist the investigation should call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC.

To give anonymous information contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.