Boy, 14, knifed to death in Croydon gang fight named as police appeal for information - no arrests

A 14-year-old boy who died from stab injuries after making his own way to hospital has been named as Jermaine Cools from Croydon (above).

Police continue to appeal for witnesses and information after the murder investigation was launched.

Police were called to London Road, close to West Croydon Railway Station, at 6:41pm on Thursday, November 18 to reports of a fight involving a number of people.

A Met Police spokesman said: "While formal identification awaits, next of kin have been informed and the deceased is Jermaine Cools, 14, from the local area. "A post-mortem examination gave Jermaine’s cause of death as multiple stab wounds."

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Vandenbergh from Specialist Crime leads the investigation and said: "While our investigation continues to make good progress I am still appealing to anyone who witnessed this fight in the vicinity of West Croydon station on Thursday evening to come forward. “I am also keen to hear from any road users who may have captured events on dashcam – your footage could prove to be vital in piecing together what happened. “Jermaine’s family have been left devastated by his murder and we need to identify the person responsible for this; if you can help please get in touch with my team or you can leave information anonymously with Crimestoppers.” No one has been arrested as yet.

Officers attended the scene, but no suspects or victims were found, however, a crime scene was put in place.

At 7.08pm police were then called to a south London hospital after he self-presented at hospital with stab wounds.

Despite the efforts of doctors at the hospital, the Jermaine (above) died a short time later. A Section 60, which gives police greater powers of stop and search and dispersal, was put in place in the areas of Broad Green, Fairfield, Waddon, west Thornton, Bensham Manor, Selhurst and Addiscombe West until 10.35hrs on November 19.

Sarah Jones, Labour MP for Croydon Central, tweeted: "Devastated to learn a child has lost his life tonight in West Croydon.

"Anyone with any information please come forward to the police. My heart goes out to all those who loved him, all those who cared for him, and all those who tried to save his life. We are failing our children."

On Friday residents from Croydon met with police in City Hall (above) at a pre-planned knife crime event to discuss what could be done about a spate of knife attacks and gang fights in the area.

Any witnesses, or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101, quoting reference CAD 6179/18Nov, tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers, 100 per cent anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Information, including any footage and pictures, can also be provided via https://mipp.police.uk/operation/01MPS21T27-PO1

+ Any young people who have information about violence, firearms or knife crime, can visit Fearless where they can pass on information anonymously – your I.P address will not be traced. Fearless is part of the Crimestoppers charity, and is also independent of the police.