Boy aged 15 stabbed to death in London

A teenage schoolboy has been stabbed to death in the street. The 15-year-old was set upon in Camberwell, south London, last night.

Police sources confirmed a murder hunt had been launched but were unable to disclose if there had been any arrests.

The boy was pronounced dead at 10.30pm - six hours after he was taken to hospital from Cormont Road. Family members have been informed.

Emergency services arriving at the scene found he had suffered stab wounds to the body.

Detectives from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command are investigating the death.

He is the fifth teenager to be stabbed to death in the city this year, Scotland Yard said.

Detectives are understood to have made several arrests overnight.

Police are still trying to establish a motive for the attack. It is not yet known if the murder was gang-related.

Formal identification of the victim has yet to take place.

The leafy residential road where the boy was found was cordoned off this morning.

Local residents in the quiet street said they were in shock.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, said a fight had broken out between two sets of rival gangs and a teacher from a nearby school stepped in to stop the fight escalating.

Scotland Yard said police and the ambulance service were called at around 4.15pm to the rear of Calais Gate, Cormont Road, and took the injured boy to a south London hospital.

A statement said officers believe they know his identity but are waiting for formal identification to take place. His next of kin have been informed.

A post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

Detective Chief Inspector John McFarlane, from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "At this early stage in the investigation, we believe that just after 1600 hours, there was an altercation at the rear of Calais Gate, Cormont Road, SE5, involving a number of youths which resulted in the victim being stabbed.

"I am appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the altercation or seen youths acting suspiciously in the area in and around Cormont Road to contact the incident room."

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the incident room on 0208 721 4205 or, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.