At least six stabbings in first week of New Year in London as teenage murder victim named

The 14-year-old boy stabbed to death on a bus yesterday was the latest in a string of knife crime victims in London since the start of the New Year.

At least six people, five of them teenagers, have been stabbed in the Capital since January 1.

In the latest attack, police were called at 2:28pm on Tuesday, 7 January to reports of a stabbing on a bus in Woolwich, south-east London.

The attack happened on a route 472 bus on Woolwich Church Road near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road.

Officers attended, along with London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance.

Paramedics treated the boy at the scene who had received stab wound injuries, but he very sadly died shortly after medics arrived.

He was today named by police as Kelyan Bokassa (above), understood to be an online rapper known as “Grippa".

While formal investigation has yet to place his next of kin have been informed and officers are confident the victim is Kelya.

Earlier today his mother Mary Bokassa (above) said she was not surprised he was killed, saying he had been groomed by gangs from the age of six years old.

Speaking to the BBC from her flat in Greenwich, Ms Bokassa described Kelyan as "caring, very caring" and kind.

She said he had previously been found to have taken knives into primary school and was taken into care for a number of years.

She said Kelyan (above in a rap video) was "underweight, very hungry, tattooed and exposed to drugs" and he experienced some "extremely challenging times", but they had just enjoyed Christmas together and he was back at school.

She said she asked for help and tried to prevent him from associating with gangs but did not receive support from the authorities, and her son "still had one foot on the streets".

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Thorpe, who is leading the investigation, said: “Following Kelyan’s tragic death yesterday, specialist officers are now leading the investigation which is progressing at pace.

“The incident happened shortly before 14:30hrs on a route 472 bus on Woolwich Church Street, SE18 at the Woolwich Ferry bus stop. If anyone saw this horrific attack or was in the area then I urge them to come forward and speak to officers. We’re particularly interested in any mobile phone footage that captured this incident or any dash cam or doorbell footage from around the surrounding area at the time of this incident.

“I know this is an incredibly worrying time for those in Woolwich, and there will continue to be an enhanced police presence in the area.

“Our thoughts remains with Kelyan’s family, who are being supported by specialist officers at this difficult time.”

There has been no arrests and enquiries continue.

If anyone witnessed the incident or has any information which may help, they are urged to call police on 101 with ref 3795/07JAN25 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The murder came less than 24 hours after an 18-year-old student was left fighting for his life after he was stabbed at about 4.20pm on Monday just over a mile away near Shooters Hill Sixth form college in Woolwich.

Police were called to the scene following reports of an attack on Prince Imperial Road, where they found a Year 12 student who had suffered from stab wounds. No arrests have been made in this case either.

The Met Police said the two incidents were not being linked.

Police are appealing to the public to contact them with any information on 101, and quoting the reference CAD 4354 for Monday's attack.

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said: "My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Greenwich following the appalling fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy.

"This heart-breaking violence has absolutely no place in our city.

"I am in close contact with police leaders - an investigation is underway and local residents will see increased patrols in the local area."

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 2.29pm (7 January) to reports of a stabbing at the junction of Woolwich Church Street and Church Hill, SE18.

"We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, a paramedic in a fast response car, an incident response officer and a paramedic from our tactical response unit. We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance.

"Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a teenager was pronounced dead at the scene."

A day before the 18-year-old was stabbed, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old were rushed to hospital after a double stabbing on January 5 on Kilburn High Road in North London.

Police said that a 17-year-old was arrested in connection with the incident.

A fight broke out on Kilburn High Road at just after 5.40 on Sunday before blades were drawn on the street full of shoppers.

An air ambulance was called to the area and both the injured people were taken to a major trauma centre.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 5.46pm on Sunday 5 January to reports of a stabbing on Kilburn High Road, NW6.

"We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic and an incident response officer. We also dispatched a trauma team in a car from London’s Air Ambulance.

"We treated two patients at the scene and took them to major trauma centres."

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "Police were called at approximately 17:50hrs on Sunday, 5 January to reports of a stabbing in Kilburn High Road, NW6.

"Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found two teenage males – aged 15 and 17 – suffering stab injuries at different locations along Kilburn High Road. Both were taken to hospital for treatment. Neither person’s injuries are life threatening.

"The 17-year-old has been arrested as part of this investigation.

"Enquiries into the circumstances continue."

A 17-year-old was earlier seriously injured after a stabbing in south London on New Year’s Day.

The Metropolitan Police said they were informed by the London Ambulance Service of a stabbing at the junction of Ferndale Road and Brixton Road in Brixton at around 5.47am last Wednesday.

Officers attended the scene and provided emergency first aid to a 17-year-old boy prior to the arrival of paramedics and medics from the London Air Ambulance. The Met confirmed the victim was taken to hospital where his injuries are being treated as life-threatening.

No arrests were made. A spokesperson for the force said: “An investigation is underway and a crime scene remains in place. At this early stage, there have been no arrests.

“Anyone with information is asked to call 101, providing the reference 2742/01JAN. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 5.44am (Wednesday 1 January) to reports of a stabbing incident at the junction of Ferndale Road and Brixton Road, SW9.

“We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, a paramedic in a fast response officer and an incident response officers.

“Our crews treated a man at the scene, before taking him to a London major trauma centre.”

Separately, on New Year's Day, a 25-year-old man was taken to hospital with a stab wound after police responded to reports of men "armed with knives" outside Bond Street Tube station in the West End in the early hours.

The Metropolitan Police said no arrests had been made and has appealed for witnesses or anyone with mobile phone footage to come forward.

The police were called at 4:04am and found the wounded man at the junction of Oxford Street and South Molton Street.