The victim of a fatal stabbing at East Croydon station on Monday afternoon has been named by police as Louis Johnson from Lewisham. He was just 16 years old. According to British Transport Police (BTP) Louis was on the over bridge in the station at the time when he met someone who proceeded to stab him to death with a knife. Police described it as “a senseless killing”.

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Blackburn, who is leading the BTP investigation, said: “The incident was over within a matter of 40 seconds, but I know many other passengers or members of the public would have seen what happened.”

Ambulances and an air ambulance were called to the scene just after 4.30pm and paramedics performed CPR but Louis was pronounced dead at the scene.

His death has caused consternation amongst commuters and those who knew him.

His friend Marlon Sampson, whom he met at a youth group, told ITV news: “He was going to college, he was doing an electrician’s course, he was trying.

“He was independent, he had his own thing going but he wanted to interact and get some sense of direction.”

A teenager from Balham, also 16, is being questioned by police in connection with the murder.

After the attack, police closed off the back entrance staircases to the station so they could carry out further investigations. BTP and teams from the Metropolitan Police in Croydon have been urgently trying to gather information. Section 60 Stop and Search powers were authorised for the borough.

Croydon Central MP Sarah Jones said: “This brutal loss of a young life is another reminder that tackling violence must be our highest priority at every level of government and across communities”.

Croydon Central MP Sarah Jones has called for the tackling of violence to be given the highest priority “at every level of government and across communities”. She added: “I will not stop campaigning on this until our children are safe on our streets.”