Summary

  • Met Police have been issuing an update after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death on a double-decker bus in London

  • The teenager was killed on the 472 bus in Woolwich, south-east London, at about 14:30 GMT today

  • He died at the scene shortly after paramedics from London Ambulance Service and the air ambulance arrived, police say

  • "This is a horrendous crime," Chief Superintendent Louise Sargent from the Met Police says, adding that no arrests have been made yet

Live Reporting

Edited by Marita Moloney and Johanna Chisholm, with Nick Johnson reporting from Woolwich

  1. No arrests yet after teen killed in south London stabbing

    A 472 London bus is seen at night, and there is police tape cordoning it off.PA Media

    A 472 bus remained cordoned off into the evening after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed on the double-decker earlier in the day

    We're going to be ending our live coverage on the news that a 14-year-old boy was killed in a stabbing in south-east London earlier today. Here's everything we know so far:

    • The teen died after being stabbed on a double-decker bus in Woolwich, in south-east London
    • Police were called just before 14:30 GMT to reports of a stabbing on a 472 bus
    • The boy had received "stab wounds" and died "shorty after medics arrived", Chief Superintendent Louise Sargent said
    • In an evening update, the chief superintendent said no arrests had yet been made but she said officers were "working at pace" to identify and arrest those involved
    • She described it as a "horrendous crime" and said it would be a "very worrying time" for people in the area
    • Both the mayor and the chief superintendent said the community can expect an enhanced police presence
    • Police are urging anyone with any information to come forward

    You can continue to follow updates in our main news story. Thank you for joining us.

  2. Two stabbings in south-east London not linked, police say

    Yesterday, there was a stabbing of an 18-year-old closeby to where today's incident took place.

    Police were called to the scene at around 16:20 GMT on Monday following reports of an attack in Woolwich, where they found a student who had suffered from stab wounds.

    He was taken to hospital where he remains in a potentially life threatening condition.

    The Metropolitan Police are now saying that, at this stage, they "don't believe the two stabbing incidents are linked".

  3. South-east London community struck by tragedy once more

    Sonja Jessup
    BBC London Home Affairs Correspondent

    The news that a teenage boy, just 14 years old, has been fatally stabbed will be devastating for his family, friends, and also the community of Woolwich, where just three months ago another teenage boy lost his life to knife crime.

    He was 15-year-old Daèjaun Campbell, whose mother Jodie Taylor pleaded following his death in September for the “senseless killing” to stop.

    It is also terrible news for campaigners who have been trying to tackle violent crime.

    Last year, 11 teenagers- all boys - lost their lives to homicide in London.

    This is the lowest number since 2012, but of course, many are calling for far more to be done.

    • For context: Knife crime with injury offences recorded by the Met among 25 year olds has also fallen 7% in last year. Among all age groups it has risen 4%

  4. 'Heartbreaking violence has no place in London', mayor says

    A file photo of Mayor of London Sir Sadiq KhanPA Media

    Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has described the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in Woolwich today as "appalling".

    “My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community," he says.

    “This heartbreaking violence has absolutely no place in our city," Khan says, adding that he is in "close contact with police leaders" and an investigation is under way.

    He reiterates the police warning from earlier that local residents "will see increased patrols" in the area.

    Khan also calls on anyone with information to come forward, saying: "There is no honour in staying silent."

  5. In photos: Heavy police presence remains at the scene

    As Chief Superintendent Louise Sargent just mentioned a bit earlier, an enhanced police presence is expected to remain in place in Woolwich.

    Here are some new images that have just come through of the scene in south-east London, where officers have cordoned off roads.

    Police tape blocks off access to a main road in London and a person on the other side of the tape is talking with officers in reflective vests.PA Media
    Police tape blocks off access to a main road in LondonPA Media

  6. Police update wraps up after brief statement

    The news conference is now over, after just a few sentences from Chief Superintendent Louise Sargent.

    No questions were taken from the media.

  7. 'This will be a very worrying time for everyone here'

    The chief superintendent says the community can expect an enhanced police presence.

    "I know this will be a very worrying time for everyone here," Sargent says, adding that "the very young age of the victim" will only intensify that feeling.

    She encourages anyone with information to come forward.

  8. This is a horrendous crime - police

    Sargent says paramedics treated the boy on the scene, but "really sadly" he died shortly after emergency services arrived.

    "This is a horrendous crime," she says, and gives her condolences to the boy's family.

    No arrests have been made so far, but they are working on finding out who is involved, she adds.

  9. Chief Superintendent Louise Sargent, from the Met Police, confirms a 14-year-old boy has died.

    Police were called just before 14:30 to reports of a stabbing on a bus, she says.

  10. Watch live as Met Police speak after 14-year-old killed

    Chief Superintendent Louise SargentPA Media

    Chief Superintendent Louise Sargent from the Met Police is now providing an update on the 14-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed earlier today in south-east London.

    We'll be bringing you the latest and can follow along by pressing watch live at the top of this page.

  11. Eerie silence on usually busy thoroughfare

    Nick Johnson
    Reporting from Woolwich

    This is usually a major thoroughfare running alongside the River Thames in south-east London.

    This evening, there’s an eerie silence as a large section of the road is closed.

    In the middle, the solitary red 472 double-decker bus - parked outside blocks of flats. Police teams in blue suits are walking up and down the outside of the bus.

    Forensic services vans are parked alongside and police ticker tape surrounds the bus.

  12. 'Yet another young life lost' - Woolwich MP

    The MP for Woolwich and Greenwich, Matthew Pennycook, says he is "deeply saddened that yet another young life has been lost in our community today".

    In a post on X, he adds his thoughts are with the victim's friends and family.

    "I urge anyone with any information to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111," Pennycook writes.

  13. Footage shows aftermath of stabbing

    We can now bring you some footage from local residents in south-east London from where a 14-year-old boy was fatally stabbed.

    As we reported, the victim was killed on the 472 bus on Woolwich Church Street near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road in Woolwich at about 14:30 GMT.

    The footage below shows first responders crowding around a double-decker bus.

    BBC News

  14. Police to give update after boy, 14, stabbed to death on London bus

    Welcome to our live coverage as we wait to hear from the Metropolitan Police after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death on a bus in London.

    The teenager was killed on the 472 bus in Woolwich, south-east London, at about 14:30 GMT today.

    He died at the scene shortly after paramedics and air ambulance personnel arrived, police say.

    No arrests have been made but a police cordon and road closures remain in place.

    We'll bring you the latest on what police have to say, and you'll be able to follow their statement at the top of the page by clicking watch live.