Four teens arrested over fatal stabbing of boy, 16

An area near a shopping centre and school in Peterborough has been cordoned off by officersShariqua Ahmed/BBC

Four teenagers have been arrested after a 16-year-old boy was stabbed and later died in hospital.

The attack happened near the Ortongate Shopping Centre in Peterborough at about 19:00 BST on Sunday.

Cordons remain in place around the area of Riseholme and some flowers have been left at the scene. Detectives said they believed the stabbing was not a random attack.

A 15-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man, both from Peterborough, have been arrested on suspicion of murder. Two girls aged 16 and 17 have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

The 16-year-old girl, from March in Cambridgeshire, has also been arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article. All of the teenagers remain in police custody.

One entrance to the Ortongate Shopping Centre has been sealed off, along with other areas nearbyShariqua Ahmed/BBC

Det Ch Insp Richard Stott, from the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit, said: "This is a tragic incident which has resulted in the death of a young man, and we are in contact with his family and keeping them updated.

"While we understand the death will be concerning for local people, we do not believe this was a random attack and there will be a significant police presence in the area over coming days."

Anyone with information or who has home CCTV has been urged to contact police.

A number of police officers are patrolling the area around Riseholme and MistertonShariqua Ahmed/BBC
Kirsty Knight is an Independent councillor for Orton Waterville and lives in Riseholme, where the incident happened

Kirsty Knight, Independent councillor for Orton Waterville, said she had been at the scene moments after the incident happened and had witnessed people trying to revive the boy.

She called it an "upsetting incident".

"Our thoughts are with the young lad, his family and friends," she said.

"We are incredibly grateful to those who stepped in to help, a reminder that care and compassion runs in our local community."

Labour MP for North West Cambridgeshire, Sam Carling, thanked the emergency services and those who responded to the stabbing.

He said: "My thoughts are with his family and friends at what must be an unimaginably difficult time.

Road closures are in place in the area around the shopping centreShariqua Ahmed/BBC

"I know this will have caused real shock across our community, particularly for those who live and work in the area.

"I have been in touch with the police this morning, who have confirmed that this is believed to have been a targeted attack and that there is no wider risk to the public at this time."

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's Conservative mayor, Paul Bristow, added: "This is a deeply tragic incident and one that is not typical of Peterborough and our wider region."

He said his thoughts were with the boy's "family, friends and loved ones at this devastating time".

The East of England Ambulance Service said a number of ambulances and response cars were dispatched to the scene on Sunday, and the teenager was taken to hospital "but sadly died later in the evening".

A large police presence was seen near the shopping centre on Sunday nightKirsty Knight

In an email to parents, nearby St John's Church School said it would stay closed due to the "serious incident".

It said it would "continue to monitor the situation" and update parents and carers about reopening.

The shopping centre is open as normal on Monday, but the rear car park has been closed.

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