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East Croydon stabbing: Teen boy, 16, killed at rush hour train station in '40 seconds of violence'

The busy commuter station remained closed on Tuesday following the rush-hour attack. (SWNS)
The busy commuter station remained closed on Tuesday following the rush-hour attack. (SWNS)

A 16-year-old boy stabbed to death at a busy train station in south London has been named by police.

Louis Johnson was attacked outside East Croydon station in a “senseless” stabbing that lasted 40 seconds on Monday afternoon.

He came into the station at around 4.30pm through the Ruskin Square ticket barrier, and was attacked minutes later.

British Transport Police (BTP) said that while he was on the overbridge in the station, he met someone who immediately pulled out a knife and stabbed him.

Emergency services were called at about 4.45pm, but despite the efforts of medics, including an air ambulance team, he died a short while later at the scene.

The scene of the fatal stabbing in East Croydon, a hugely popular commuter route. (SWNS)
The scene of the fatal stabbing in East Croydon, a hugely popular commuter route. (SWNS)
The stabbing took place at around 5pm on Monday. (PA)
The stabbing took place at around 5pm on Monday. (PA)

No-one has been arrested.

The force said the teenager entered the station via a ticket barrier on Monday afternoon and met his suspected attacker, “who immediately pulls out a knife and stabs him”.

Two ambulances, two paramedics in response cars, an advanced paramedic practitioner, an incident response officer and London’s Air Ambulance were sent to the location.

London mayor Sadiq Khan said the community will see an “increased police presence” and that extra police powers had been authorised.

Sarah Jones, the MP for Croydon Central, said she was “heartbroken”.

Tragic: Blood was clearly visible on the floor of the station on Tuesday morning as police closed East Croydon. (SWNS)
Tragic: Blood was clearly visible on the floor of the station on Tuesday morning as police closed East Croydon. (SWNS)

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Blackburn said: “This was a senseless killing at an extremely busy time of the day, and my thoughts are with Louis’s family at this painfully difficult time.

“For such a young man to lose his life in these circumstances is truly devastating, and I would like to reassure everyone that a thorough investigation is well under way.

“With that in mind, we continue to appeal for anyone with information to get in touch as a matter of urgency.

“The incident was over within a matter of 40 seconds, but I know many other passengers or members of the public would have seen what happened. The boy’s family have been told, and are being supported by police. No arrests have yet been made.”

Anyone with information can contact BTP by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 395 of 27/01/2020, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.