Boy, 14, stabbed to death on London bus

A horrific incident occurred in Woolwich, southeast London, where a 14-year-old boy was fatally stabbed on a double-decker bus. Police have described it as a "terrible crime." The event took place on Woolwich Church Street in the Greenwich district, near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road, at approximately 2:30 PM GMT.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the teenager died at the scene shortly after the arrival of paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and the Air Ambulance. Chief Superintendent Louise Sargent stated, "Our thoughts are with the victim's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time... I cannot imagine what they are going through." No arrests have been made yet, but police cordons and road closures remain in place.

This latest stabbing comes three months after another teenager also lost his life to knife crime in Woolwich. 15-year-old Dea-John Campbell was stabbed to death in September. Following his death, his mother, Jodie Taylor, pleaded for an end to this "senseless killing." Last year, 11 teenagers were killed in homicides in London. This was the lowest number since 2012, but many are calling for more action.

Matthew Pennycook, the Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, stated he was "deeply saddened by the loss of another young life in our community." Mark Rodney, the chief executive of the Lives Not Knives project, an organization dedicated to tackling youth knife crime, described the killing as "another devastating blow to the community." He said, "We need to look at what is really happening in our communities and start looking at other avenues to find solutions." He also added, "He was just a child, he hadn't even started his life."

Rodney also stated, "The wounds in the community haven't healed since Dea-John passed. I believe two weeks ago, this young man was still paying his respects with flowers to the young man who passed in September, not knowing that today he would be that person. Two weeks ago, he didn't think he would be in this situation today." The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said, "My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Greenwich after a 14-year-old boy was tragically stabbed to death. This heart-breaking violence has absolutely no place in our city."

Sadiq Khan also added, "I am in close contact with police leaders – the investigation is underway and local residents will see an increased police presence in the area." The London Ambulance Service said they dispatched an ambulance, a paramedic in a fast response car, an incident response officer and a paramedic from their tactical response unit, along with London’s Air Ambulance. A spokesperson said that “despite the best efforts of our crews,” the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.