Four people, including a 49-year-old man, have been arrested after a 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Northampton.
Police said officers were called at 3.35pm on Wednesday to the Kingsthorpe area of the town, in the east Midlands, following reports that a boy had been attacked.
Paramedics attended the scene but the boy, whose identity has yet to be disclosed, died shortly afterwards.
Four males, aged 49, 21, 16 and 14, have been arrested in connection with the boy’s death and remain in police custody.
A police cordon in Harborough Road, between the junction with The Cock Hotel and Waitrose, is expected to remain into Thursday while the investigation continues.
Senior investigating officer DI Simon Barnes said the force believes this was an isolated incident and high-visibility police patrols will be taking place in the Kingsthorpe area to reassure the local community. He said anyone who has any concerns is encouraged to speak to an officer.
Barnes added: “This is an exceptionally sad and tragic incident in which a young boy with his whole life ahead of him has died and I want to reassure the public that we are absolutely determined to bring the people involved to justice.
“Arrests were promptly made this evening and inquiries are continuing to move at a fast pace however I would still appeal for any witnesses or anyone with information who has not yet come forward to please do so.
“Anyone with information, or anyone with CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage of the area at the time, have been asked to call Northamptonshire police on 101, quoting incident number 23000174855.”