"Not someone else. There has been so many this year already."
"Yet another young life taken by knife crime in Greater Manchester."
"This is getting out of control."
These are just some of the responses from M.E.N readers following the tragic news that yet another teenager had been stabbed and killed in our city this weekend.
The body of a 17-year-old boy was found in Clowes Park in the Broughton area of Salford on Sunday morning (31 January), after a dog walker reported seeing a man unresponsive.
He was found with a single stab wound and pronounced dead at the scene.
READ MORE: Children killing children: Inside Greater Manchester’s teen knife crime epidemic
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder, as detectives attempt to piece together the circumstances that lead to the death of yet another youngster.
It comes just a week after the death of 16-year-old Kennie Carter, who died after being stabbed in Stretford on Saturday, 22 January.
Eight teenage boys aged between 14 and 17 have been arrested on suspicion of murder. Three have been released with no further action and five have been bailed pending further enquiries.
The latest stabbing prompted Greater Manchester Police to hold an urgent press conference, in a bid to reassure members of the public that tackling knife crime is their 'top priority.'
Assistant Chief Constable Tony Creely said he wanted to 'put it on record' that knife crime will not be tolerated by the force.
"I would like to reiterate the Chief Constable's promise to Greater Manchester that GMP is a force which focuses on fighting, preventing and reducing crime to keep people safe," he told journalists.
In the 12 months from January 2021-22, we have reported on at least one stabbing every week where either the victim or the alleged perpetrator was a teenager.
And 2022 has already got off to a deadly start, with two young lads under the age of 18 now having lost their lives to knife crime before the end of January.
Kennie Carter, who was described by family as a 'cheeky chappy,' was found with serious injuries in Thirlmere Avenue in Stretford around 7pm on January 22.
The 16-year-old suffered a fatal stab wound to the chest, prompting a murder investigation.
Detectives from GMP's Major Incident Team have so far questioned eight suspects, spoken to a number of witnesses and are continuing to make extensive forensic and CCTV enquiries at pace.
Kennie's family have also appealed for the community to come forward with information and said 'young lives like Kennie's are being lost far too often'.
On Monday (January 31) afternoon, Clowes Park in Salford remained taped off from the public, as police continued their latest murder investigation.
Underwater teams could be seen searching the lake - near to where the teenage boy was found.
Forensic officers were also spotted nearby.
Greater Manchester Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses or for anyone with information to come forward.
Assistant Chief Constable Creely told the press conference: "On behalf of the investigation team, who are in Salford completing extensive enquiries, I appeal to anyone with information to contact us or Crimestoppers, anonymously.
"Also, I ask those surrounding Clowes Park to check any CCTV or doorbell footage they have.
"On behalf of Greater Manchester Police, I would like to say, publicly, that our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victim of this stabbing.
"This incident closely follows the fatal stabbing of Kennie Carter in the Stretford area of Trafford last weekend and we, as a force, are aware and understand that our communities are concerned."
Ass Chief Const Creely said police are currently engaging with young people and their families via specialist engagement officers - encouraging a culture of reporting amongst both peers and family members
The force are also continuing patrols and stop and searches under a dedicated operation named 'Sycamore.'
He added that police have also provided a platform via Forever Amnesty for weapons to be surrendered. Since the launch in 2020, the force have recovered over 3,500 knives via bins across Greater Manchester.
