Manhunt launched for Woolwich ‘assassin’ after schoolboy, 14, stabbed to dying on London double-decker bus: Police urging witnesses to return ahead as horror unfolded in entrance of passengers

Murder detectives are tonight hunting for a knifeman after a 14-year-old schoolboy was stabbed to death on a London bus.

The boy was knifed today in front of horrified passengers on board a route 472 red double decker bus in Woolwich, in what has been described by Scotland Yard as a ‘horrendous crime‘. 

An officer on patrol alerted colleagues to the stabbing at around 2.30pm but the teen was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after paramedics arrived. 

A heavy police presence remains at the crime scene tonight with forensic officers seen shining torches on board the bus as they comb for evidence. 

Detectives have now launched a manhunt for the suspected killer with Chief superintendent Louise Sargent telling a press conference close to the cordon tonight that officers are ‘working at pace’ to track them down. 

Giving her condolences to the boy’s friends and family, she said: ‘This is a horrendous crime and I can’t imagine what they are going through right now.’ 

The incident occurred on Woolwich Church Road near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road.

Tonight the double decker remains stationary at a bus stop on the road, surrounded by marked police vehicles, outside a block of flats by the Woolwich ferry terminal.

Met Police have thrown a huge cordon around the murder site causing traffic chaos on the busy South Circular arterial road that leads to the Thames River crossing.

Residents of the housing estates close by tonight told of their shock and sadness at the youngsters death.

Mechanic Dave Murray, 62, from Plumstead said: ‘It’s tragic. Whatever those boys were fighting about it’s never worth it.’

Mother Shula added: ‘I can’t believe that a boy was stabbed to death on the bus. Is it too dangerous to go on the bus now?’

No arrests have been made at this stage, with police launching a search for the suspect.

One resident who lives inside the cordoned off area said: ‘This is heartbreaking.

‘I can’t believe this has happened. We have only just started the New Year.

‘A 14 year old boy stabbed in broad daylight on a bus. What is the world coming to?’

A woman working at a nearby church said she saw an air ambulance and other emergency service vehicles arrive at the scene, but did not see any of the passengers from the bus. 

The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said: ‘My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Greenwich following the appalling fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy.

‘This heart-breaking violence has absolutely no place in our city.

‘I am in close contact with police leaders – an investigation is underway and local residents will see increased patrols in the local area.’

The Met Police attended, along with London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance. 

Ch Supt Sargent said: ‘I know this will be a worrying time for everyone here in Woolwich, and even more so given the very young age of the victim.

‘The community can expect to see an enhanced police presence around the scene and the surrounding area I would urge anyone who witnessed this horrific incident or has any information that might help to call police on 101.’

Forensic officers could be seen taking pictures of the road close to where the youngster was stabbed.

The incident comes just 24 hours after an 18-year-old boy was left fighting for his life after being knifed just over a mile away from today’s murder scene.

The teenager, who attended Shooters Hill College in Woolwich, is in a critical in hospital after the stabbing in Prince Imperial Road at around 4.20pm on Monday.

Police confirmed this afternoon that the the two stabbings were not linked, reported MyLondon. 

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 2.29pm today (7 January) to reports of a stabbing at the junction of Woolwich Church Street and Church Hill, SE18.

‘We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, a paramedic in a fast response car, an incident response officer and a paramedic from our tactical response unit. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.

‘Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.’

Several London bus routes are on diversion as a result of the incident, including the 161, 177, 180 and 472. 

Traffic is queuing in both directions and locals are being warned to avoid the area. 

Local councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan posted on social media and said: ‘I’m deeply saddened to hear of the murder of a 14 year old boy in Woolwich today. Detectives from the Serious and Complex team are investigating.’

Margaret Mizen, the mother of Jimmy Mizen who was killed aged 16 in London in 2008 when a glass dish was smashed into his face, said her heart went out to the family of the 14 year old. 

Writing on X, she said: ‘Today, it is incredibly sad, may this young man rest in eternal peace. His friends and family are in my prayers as they somehow come to terms with this cruel act. They will all be feeling completely heartbroken.’ 

Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, Matthew Pennycook, urged anyone with any information to contact police. 

‘Deeply saddened that another young life has been lost in our community today following a stabbing in Woolwich,’ he wrote on X. ‘My thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased.’ 

Anthony Okereke, the leader of Royal Borough Greenwich, said the council was working closely with Scotland Yard in response to ‘this horrific incident’. 

‘I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic murder of a young person in our borough,’ the Labour councillor said.

‘My thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with their family as they face this unimaginable loss.’

She added she and a fellow councillor would work to support the victim’s family. 

Knife crime is on the rise in London, with 15,016 offences recorded in 2023/24, up from 12,786 the year before, a 17.4% rise.

It is the highest number of offences since 2019/2020, after which there was a significant drop during the Covid pandemic, followed by a steady annual increase.

According to the Crime in England and Wales 2024 report, around 30% of knife-enabled crime was recorded by the Metropolitan Police Service.

Some 10 teenagers were killed in London last year, nine of whom were the victims of stabbing while one died in a shooting.

This was down sharply from 21 teenage deaths in the capital in 2023.

The youngest victim in 2024 was aged 14.

Sadiq Khan, previously MP for Tooting in south London, became the Mayor of London in May 2016, followed by re-elections in 2021 and 2024.

As Mayor, he is responsible for policing, but during his time in City Hall, London has been dubbed the ‘knife crime capital’ and the Met Police has been forced into special measures.

Sir Sadiq was accused of ‘losing control’ on crime in the city, with a reported 38% increase in knife offences since he took office.

The Met Police has been approached for more information.

If anyone witnessed the incident or has any information which may help, they are urged to call police on 101 with ref 3795/07JAN25 or call Crimestoppers anonymously.