Police probing London’s latest knife murder have arrested three teenagers.
The capital’s fourth murder probe has been launched in the capital within 24 hours after a teenager was fatally stabbed in broad daylight in west London.
The 17-year-old victim was brutally knifed in the chest near West Kensington tube station in west London in the middle of Thursday afternoon.
He was rushed to hospital from the scene in Lanfrey Place, but died shortly after arrival.
Police were called to Lanfrey Place at 2.14pm and the victim was taken to hospital but later died.
The victim was named locally as Ayub Hassan. A family friend paying tribute to a “kind and handsome” boy with ambitions of becoming a barrister.
He was the 17th person to be killed by a knife in London in 2019.
Ayub was the 10th person to be stabbed to death in the capital in just 18 days.
Police say three youths – aged 15, 17 and 18 – have been arrested on suspicion of murder, and remain in custody.
Police pledged to step up patrols in the area.
Chief Superintendent Rob Jones, the Met’s Central West Area Commander, said: “I understand the devastating effect that this incident will have not only on the victim’s loved ones, but also on the wider community.
“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family at this sad time.
“A crime scene remains at Lanfrey Place, and our colleagues from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating.
“There will be a heightened visible police presence in the area and local officers will also be supported by central specialist units to prevent any potential further incidents.”
He added: “Violent crime is a priority and the police, our partners and the public must continue to work together to deal with knife crime and prevent further young lives being lost.
“We can’t combat knife crime alone, as a community we all have a vital role to play in tackling violent crime.
We need to hear from anyone who has information that could either detect or prevent crime. Your information could save a life.”
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