Boy, 16, stabbed to death minutes before midnight at NYE celebration

A teenage boy was stabbed to loss of life simply minutes earlier than midnight in entrance of tons of of individuals celebrating New Yr’s Eve in central London.

Harry Pitman, 16, was fatally wounded on the favored Primrose Hill – the place crowds collect every year to observe the fireworks throughout central London – at 11.30pm.

A homicide investigation, codenamed Operation Booknote, has now been launched after {the teenager} was pronounced useless on the scene shortly earlier than midnight.

Revellers fled the scene screaming in terror after the boy collapsed to the bottom on the prime of the hill.

Video from the scene reveals police automobiles driving by way of crowds of revellers, some with youngsters on their shoulders, as officers tried to succeed in the fatally wounded boy.

Cops carried out first help on {the teenager} earlier than paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance arrived.

A Scotland Yard spokesperson mentioned the boy’s household have been knowledgeable of his loss of life and are being supported by specialist officers. A member of the family informed The Unbiased that the boy’s mom is “very distraught”.

The Metropolitan Police have appealed for witnesses, noting that the central London hotspot was busy with individuals who had gathered to see within the new 12 months.

One witness informed The Unbiased: “Issues occurred so shortly, it was throughout in 5 minutes or much less. It was horrible. I simply noticed somebody 5 metres away fall on the ground.

“Individuals round him began screaming and operating away. We have been subsequent to the police, they rushed to his aspect and informed everybody to remain away.”

They added: “I really feel for the household and I hope they discover peace when that is throughout.”

One other reveller, Solomon Raja, 23, mentioned he noticed a big white tent on the prime of the hill.

He mentioned: “I used to be there with hundreds of others. We solely realised what had occurred after the fireworks had ended, and after we began strolling again, we noticed that the police had cordoned a big space behind the place we have been viewing the fireworks from.

“As soon as we noticed a big white tent, we made the belief that somebody had been stabbed.”

Mr Raja added: “A lot of the crowd have been utterly oblivious to what had occurred – individuals have been targeted on the fireworks, and information didn’t actually journey ahead.

“There have been so many youngsters round – that is what sickens me essentially the most. It’s horrible that on a day like this, individuals determine to resort to disgusting acts.”

A person has been arrested on suspicion of homicide and brought into police custody.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan posted on X: “It’s an utter tragedy when a teenager loses their life to mindless violence.”

Sir Keir Starmer posted an attraction for witnesses, including: “My coronary heart goes out to the household and buddies of {the teenager} killed on Primrose Hill final night time.”

Officers imagine the world was busy with individuals on the time. When you noticed what occurred or have data, cell phone footage or different materials that may assist, please name 101 or submit @MetCC ref CAD 6649/31 Dec.

To stay nameless, please contact Crimestoppers.