A 14-year-old boy was tragically stabbed to death in broad daylight on a double-decker bus in Woolwich, south-east London, sparking a police manhunt for the attacker. The incident occurred at around 2:30 PM on Route 472 along Woolwich Church Road, near the A205 South Circular Road.
Emergency services, including the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance, rushed to the scene following an alert from a patrolling police officer. Despite paramedics’ efforts, the boy succumbed to his injuries shortly after. Police cordoned off the area, and road closures remain in place as investigations continue. No arrests have been made.
Superintendent Louise Sergent, addressing the media, described the crime as “horrendous” and expressed condolences to the victim’s family and friends. She urged witnesses or anyone with relevant information to contact the police or Crimestoppers anonymously. The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, condemned the violence, calling it “heart-breaking” and emphasizing that such incidents have no place in the city. He assured residents of increased police patrols in the area.
The London Ambulance Service dispatched multiple units, including an air ambulance, but their efforts to save the teenager were unsuccessful. A nearby church worker observed emergency vehicles arriving but did not see passengers disembarking from the bus.
This stabbing occurred a day after an unrelated knife attack in Woolwich. On Prince Imperial Road, an 18-year-old man was stabbed near a school and remains in critical condition in the hospital. Police do not believe the two incidents are connected.
The tragic death of the 14-year-old adds to concerns over youth violence in London. In 2024, 10 teenagers were killed in the city, nine of whom were victims of stabbings, marking a decline from 21 teenage deaths in 2023. The youngest victim last year was also 14. Authorities continue to grapple with the issue, while the community mourns the loss of another young life.
