A 14-year-old boy who died after being hit by a car and stabbed in London is believed to be from Nottingham.
The teenager was riding a moped which collided with a car on Bickley Road, Waltham Forest, just before 6.30pm on Tuesday.
Met Police say three men then get out of the vehicle and stabbed him a number of times before returning to the car and driving off.
Paramedics and police attended the scene but the boy died at 7.09pm. He has not yet been named publicly by the force but tributes on social media have identified him as being from Nottingham originally, having moved to London recently.
Met Police say the attack was targeted and are appealing for witnesses.
Chief Superintendent Richard Tucker said: “Everyone is shocked and appalled by this murder. The age of the victim, a boy aged 14, beggars belief and I completely understand the alarm and concern it has raised from those who live and work in the area.
“A crime scene remains in place today as officers continue their painstaking work to piece together the details of the attack. A section 60 [stop and search order] was put in place following this incident and is being continually reviewed.
“I would urge the local community to be patient and cooperate where possible with the work detectives are getting on with in the area.
“My officers will be out working to support investigators today and be there to talk to the public and listen to the concerns they have. Neighbourhood patrols will be stepped up in the area and locals can expect to see more police. I would urge anyone with information on the attack to contact police without delay.”
Police are still looking for the car involved, a black Mercedes B Class, which is expected to have extensive frontal damage.
Det Chief Insp Larry Smith from the Homicide and Major Crime Command said: “Everything that we have learned about this attack so far indicates it was targeted and intent on lethal force from the outset.
“We are doing everything we can to catch those who carried out this cowardly attack and bring them to justice.”
Anyone with information is being asked to contact Met Police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
