The 18-year-old victim of yesterday’s deadly stabbing in Sydenham has been named locally as James Hunter.

Police were called to Wells Park Road last night at around 8.30pm to reports of a fight between a group of youths.

An 18-year-old man was found with a stab wound and was pronounced dead at the scene at 9.25pm.

Next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination and formal identification will take place in due course.

A 13-year-old boy is among four people arrested in the murder investigation.

Tributes have begun to appear on Twitter with @selectastarz tweeting: “RIP my bruddah Yardz . Feels like just the other day we was in school together and now your gone. Rest in Paradise."

Meanwhile, Diddy Bop King tweeted: “I can't believe this happened, my brother from day is dead. RIP YARDZ/James."

A witness, who asked not to be named, says he gave first aid to the victim, but to no avail.

The man, who worked for the probation service for 15 years, said: “I could see the puncture wound just below the breast plate.

“I applied pressure but it was no good. I could feel that the body was losing pressure. He also had another wound to his side.

"I spoke to another guy who said he started to give first aid but then left as he felt so intimidated by the gang. That could have been the difference.

“The whole thing is just disgusting. The government needs to stop wasting money on wars that no one wants and should spend money on getting these kids off the street.

“Some of the kids around here don’t see prison as a bad thing. They know that if they go to jail that they will get a house when they come out – which is more than they have now.”

Brian Taylor, 61, who lives next door to the murder scene, said: “I was coming home from the Fox pub after a few pints and the police screeched up.

“They said that someone had been stabbed. The road was blocked and it was all kicking off. It’s only my third week here, so not a great start.”

Shanela Kooliath, 27, of Wells Park Road, Sydenham said: “It makes me feel very scared to think it happened so close by.

“I could see someone giving CPR and then when the police came they gave CPR too.

“There are always really young kids around here causing trouble. It never really affects me apart from all the noise.”

Another teenager, aged 17, was also stabbed in the incident and was taken to a south London hospital in a stable condition.

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Four youths, aged 13, 15, 15 and 17, have been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently in custody at various south London police stations.

Detective Chief Inspector Russell Taylor of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command is leading the investigation.

He said: "A number of youths gathered in Wells Park Road before a fight broke out. Many people would have witnessed the attack as well as the aftermath.

"I would urge those people to contact officers so that we can piece together the events that lead up to this murder.”

An incident room has been opened and can be contacted on 0208 721 4868.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Did you see what happened? Or do you know the victim's name? Call the newsroom on 07557 646475 or email dkeel@london.newsquest.co.uk