Boy stabbed to death as he arrives at school

The 15-year-old, named locally as Zac, was attacked by up to four young men at the gates of Park Campus School in West Norwood, south London.

Witnesses said the attackers lay in wait in a car parked close to the school for young people excluded from mainstream education.

Saima Sadfdar, who runs a nearby convenience shop, said the boy

collapsed in the arms of a teacher who ran out to help him.

She said: "I was told there were three or four people with a big knife. Apparently one of the teachers realised something was going on and ran out to help.

"She had her hands open but it was too late and he collapsed in her arms. I knew the boy, he was no trouble."

Emergency services including an air ambulance were called to Gipsy Road Gardens, a short distance from the school, at 8.50am.

It is believed the victim staggered into the residential cul-de-sac after he was repeatedly stabbed at the school.

A second boy, believed to be 14, was receiving hospital treatment after being stabbed in the arm during the fight.

Police confirmed one line of inquiry is that the murder was motivated by gang rivalries.

The road has been cordoned off by police and blue-suited forensics officers are examining a stretch of pavement.

Four boys, three of whom are around 14 years old, were being questioned yesterday by murder squad detectives.

All pupils at the school, which has 80 places, were being kept inside today for questioning by teachers and police.

The boy was the 13th teenager to be killed in the capital this year as senior police officers pull out all the stops to keep a lid on violence among young people.

A post mortem examination will take place today.