A 15-YEAR-OLD boy has been arrested after a teenager was stabbed to death when he opened his door in Croydon in the early morning.
Police say the child was arrested in Brighton on Friday and is being questioned in an East Sussex police station.
4
A 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Croydon, South London Credit: LNP 4
It's believed he was fatally knifed at home after his killer knocked on his doorstep Credit: LNP
Cops were called to an estate in Croydon, South London at around 12.46am following reports of a "disturbance".
The attacker is believed to have arrived at the boy’s home on Bracken Avenue before fatally knifing him on the doorstep, the Evening Standard reports.
Paramedics battled to save the teen but he was declared dead at the scene less than an hour later.
The Metropolitan Police say they have open mind about the motive for the killing.
Horrified neighbours spoke of their shock after the boy became the 19th teenager to be killed in London so far this year - with 17 of the victims stabbed to death.
'SHOCKING'
More teens have been killed in the capital in the first six months of this year than in the whole of 2020.
A neighbour said: “It must have happened so quickly.
"I didn’t hear anything last night. It’s absolutely shocking that a child like that could be killed on a doorstep.”
Neighbour Samantha Gail added: “It’s usually a quiet area. It’s so sad. This is such a friendly area where everyone is polite to each other and there is a real community feel.”
4
The Met has launched a murder investigation after the teen was stabbed Credit: LNP 4
Neighbours spoke of their shock after the boy was stabbed - the 19th teenager killed in London this year Credit: LNP
Pictures showed a huge cordon in place on the estate as police investigate the killing.
One local told MyLondon: "It's continuous, people outside the house with knives, smoking weed, smashing bottles and now its led to a murder… it's getting worse.
"Police were doing door to door enquires at half past 2 this morning. I didn't see the commotion, all I heard was a helicopter going round and round and when I woke up, I saw loads of blue lights.
"I think London is getting worse in general."
A post-mortem will be carried out in due course and next of kin have been informed.
BLOOD ON THE STREETS
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward following the bloodbath.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Blair, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Despite this early arrest, we still want to hear from anyone who has information relating to this horrific incident.
“Have you heard something that could assist my officers? Did you see something that could help?
“If you know anything, no matter how small it may seem, please do the right thing and get in touch.”
The horror comes after a weekend of violence in London that saw a 19-year-old boy stabbed to death in Sydenham, South East London.
Most read in News
Exclusive
DREAD LIGHT DISTRICTProstitutes & punters have sex on my front lawn at 2pm, it's pure hell
FIGHT FOR LIFEGirl, 9, fights off 3 adult men who tried to snatch her from playing field
Comment
JEREMY CLARKSONShould Whitty thug lose job for seeing life as series of 10-second movies?
TRAIN TRAGEDY‘Family’ killed 'instantly' after car is smashed by train on level crossing
Exclusive
GULF CRACKDOWNBrit influencer flees Dubai after being caught up in prostitution probe
COVID ALERTFears over new ‘Lambda’ Covid variant found in UK that 'can dodge vaccines'
The teen was the 18th London teenager to be killed so far this year - including 16 who have died from stab wounds.
A 26-year-old was also knifed to death at an illegal rave near Millwall Football Club in South Bermondsey.
Police said a 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital head injuries and arrested in connection with the killing.